Switch hitting and Ten10 politics

dcsiva — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 16:20:00 GMT

The MCC are due to consider the legality of Kevin Pietersen's remarkable switch-hitting sixes against New Zealand. Looks like it was already on the agenda, but batsmen switching stance and grip will now be considered seriously:

Unlike bowlers, a batsman does not have to notify the umpires and bowler if they opt to reverse their batting style.
However, the shot raises a number of questions for umpires, including the lbw and leg-side no-ball laws.
But despite the controversy, Pietersen believed he has broken new ground with his stroke.
The first six flew over deep square leg boundary (for a left-hander) at Chester-le-Street, while the second bore more of a resemblence to a Marcus Trescothick slog sweep over the ropes at long-on.
"Reverse sweeps have been part of the game for however long, I am just fortunate that I can hit it a bit further," Pietersen said.

And the new challenge system for out decisions will be trialled during India's tour of Sri Lanka. Meanwhile, Sledgehammer argues that Twenty20 and ODIs augment Test cricket not push it aside:

Test cricket survived the onslaught of ODIs and Kerry Packer. In fact, it flourished once ICC and cricket boards made ODI cricket a victim of overplay and greed (roughly mid-90s and beyond). And Test cricket actually benefited from ODIs - players picked up the pace, and teams wanted positive results.

Will dreams of a West Indies victory against Australia. At lunch on the last day they are 316 for 5... And in Chennai, the DMK party have switched up in their own way, organising a Ten10 "Karunanidhi Gold Cup" with over a thousand teams playing.

Speed out of control

dcsiva — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 17:18:00 GMT

Malcolm Speed has been forced out because he favoured putting pressure on Zimbabwe? And might have supported the ICL's bid for recognition direct from the ICC?

In an extraordinary development today Malcolm Speed, the ICC's chief executive, was put on paid leave until his contract expires on July 4 after a severe falling-out with the ICC's president, Ray Mali, over the organisation's handling of Zimbabwean cricket.
David Morgan, the ICC's president-elect, described the news as "the result of a fundamental breakdown in the relationship between the CEO and a number of board members, including the president, over a variety of issues that include Zimbabwe."

In related news, the ICC is for the first ever time not holding its meeting at the Marylebourne Cricket Club:

For the first time in the ICC's 99-year history, the world governing body's annual conference will not take place under the aegis of MCC at Lord's. After the British Government refused a visa to Peter Chingoka, the head of Zimbabwe Cricket, the ICC was left with no alternative but to move the June meeting to its headquarters in Dubai.

Cover Points : MCC

Switch hitting and Ten10 politics

Speed out of control