Cricket
KP in switch-hit rumpus
2012-04-05 14:42
Rob Houwing, Sport24 chief writer
Cape Town – England batsman Kevin Pietersen on Thursday
received an official warning over his use of the controversial switch-hit
stroke.
The South African-born stroke-player was at the crease
during day three of the second Test against Sri Lanka at Colombo, and went on
to score 151 as England, 1-0 down in the two-match series, grabbed control of
proceedings on the first innings.
Just before reaching his century, Pietersen twice shaped to
play that stroke – where a right-hander suddenly turns an effective left-hander
– before bowler Tillakaratne Dilshan was in his delivery stride.
On each occasion Dilshan aborted his run-up, leading to a
stalemate of sorts.
The umpire at the bowler’s end, Asad Rauf, then officially
warned Pietersen to desist – in terms of the warning, England were liable for a
five-run penalty if he did it again too early.
It did not stop the single-minded former KwaZulu-Natalian
from employing a reverse sweep to bring up his century.
“KP” first demonstrated the stroke against New Zealand some
three years ago, registering a meaty six on that occasion but sparking much
debate around its legitimacy.