“Umpire ought to simply declare the ball dead” – Ian Chappell suggests new rule for switch hits

“Umpire ought to simply declare the ball dead” – Ian Chappell suggests new rule for switch hits
Ian Chappell and Glenn Maxwell's switch hit
Ian Chappell and Glenn Maxwell’s switch hit

Glenn Maxwell and his switch hits were a great hit in the ODI series against India. But the shot has created a ripple across the cricketing fraternity. Especially after Maxwell dispatched Kuldeep Yadav for a 100-meter maximum with a switch hit at the Manuka Oval. Many greats of the game have deemed the shot as unfair as it gives a huge advantage to the batsman.

Former Australia captain Ian Chappell shares that reverse sweeps and ramp shots still give the bowler an even chance to counter the batter. But switch hits take the field settings out of the equation giving the batsman a huge advantage. Chappell reiterated that the shot is skilful but not fair.

“If batsmen want to reverse-sweep or play a ramp shot without changing the order of their feet, that’s fine. By playing in that manner, the contest remains roughly a fifty-fifty proposition. Switch-hitting greatly favours batsmen and therefore alters the balance of the contest. It’s very skilful, but it’s not fair,” Chappell wrote in a column for ESPNCricinfo.

Balance should be restored in the contest

Ian Chappell

The former batsman went on to suggest a rule to counter the shot. Chappell feels that the square-leg umpire should call a dead ball if a batsman tries to change his stand for a switch hit. He advocates that batsmen should not be awarded runs if they win in an unfair contest with the bowler.

“The square-leg umpire is already paying close attention to the batsman’s feet in case there is a stumping, so he’ll notice any change of order. If a batsman changes the order of his feet, then the square-leg umpire ought to simply declare the ball dead and no runs result,” he adds. “If this became the law then batsmen would have no incentive to switch-hit and balance would be restored in that individual contest.“

Bowlers will evolve, but will it benefit the game?

Glenn Maxwell plays the switch hit

Maxwell defended the shot as he urged the bowlers to evolve as the modern game progresses. Replying to him, Chappell pointed out how bowlers got frustrated at the batsmen dominated contests. And resort to unfair practices like ball tampering and chucking. The Aussie legend warns Maxwell that his call for bowlers to come up with new ways might ruin our beloved game.

“There are plenty more examples where bowlers have become fed up and declared war. These include the Bodyline series, chucking and ball-tampering, all of which were strong protests against a game that had become lopsided in favour of batsmen,” Chappell writes.

“Don’t worry, Glenn, history shows bowlers will move to combat the switch hit, but will it be in a manner that benefits the game?”

Also read : “It’s up to the bowlers to evolve” – Glenn Maxwell defends switch-hits