Game's moved on, Ian!

My take on the recent switch-hit debate that Ian Chappell seems to have fueled.

He's known as a bit of a grumpy old man and there is definitely shades of Earl 'The Pearl' Strickland about 'Chapelli'. He often ignites issues with his words but what's his problem now? It seems the switch-hit has riled him up a good one.

Chappell suggests that as bowlers have to tell the umpires how they're going to bowl then the batsmen should have to do the same with how they're going to bat!

He already admits it is 'extremely skillful', and it is. Firstly, the batsmen has to time the switching over of his hands and feet correctly. If he's too early, he may give the bowler time to pull out of his delivery and give away his plan to whack him over point, thus leading to a potential change of field. If he's too late well we know what happens when you're too late - you miss the ball. Then they have to have learned and practised the motion of swinging their bats around as if they were left handed, all whilst keeping their balance.

As far as I'm concerned there's enormous risk to playing one of these shots and if the batsmen feels he is good enough and wants to carry on doing it why the hell should he not. These are the kind of shots that make kids watch T20 cricket and encourage them to be the next or go and watch Glenn Maxwell, we don't want to discourage them by banning certain shots.

I grant you though, it's not the kind of shot I would focus on for a session particularly for juniors as the basics are far more important. Perhaps a bit of fun at the end for someone trying to emulate their favourite player on TV, but it's definitely worth a go and seeing if you can do it.

As for Chappell, well I do think he does make some sound points with other issues, but not this one, let them play and entertain us.