No need to switch right off
LONG-time multiskills campaigner John Buchanan has called for the game to back Glenn Maxwell but believes a rule change is essential to protect bowlers.
He labelled Maxwell a “revolutionary” as the successful former Australian coach weighed into the polarising debate over whether the batsman’s switchhit theatrics should be outlawed by the game.
While adamant Maxwell’s skills should be fostered and celebrated, Buchanan does believe administrators do need to make a simple tweak to the laws of the game which would help address the complaint put forward by Ian Chappell and Shane Warne that the switch hit is “unfair” to bowlers.
Buchanan’s solution is that if a batsman moves his stance to switch hit, the bowler should then not be penalised in the event they bowl a wide.
“One simple suggestion that will not discourage Glenn Maxwell to keep reverse hitting and experimenting with other revolutionary shot making, and will encourage bowlers to believe that the game still cares about them … is as soon as a batsman changes his or her position at the crease with either movement away from their facing position, or changing of grips to adopt a different way or direction of hitting, then wides and no balls to the bowler are nullified,” Buchanan said.
“Of course … a normal no ball will (still) occur as the ball passes the batsman (above the waist) in the ‘ new’ position. And the integrity of the game from a wide perspective will be maintained by the two indicator lines adjacent to the stumps being the channel through which a ball must pass.
“And it will certainly make umpires adjudicating tasks much simpler.”
The former Australian coach is saying the bowler should therefore not be punished for drifting too far down either the new or old leg side – provided the delivery stays within the white tram line.
Buchanan says a key part of his coaching philosophy has been to encourage young kids to learn to be ambidextrous as much as possible with their sport, and believes Maxwell – with his amazing ability to launch 100 metre sixes off his reverse stance – can be a trailblazer for batsmen.
“… It is the revolutionists who shine a light on what needs changing in the game; and what the game does not need, due to its capacity to inflict injury, or its impact on the integrity and entertainment value of the game,” he said.
“I have always advocated for sport to encourage from an early age, children to use both sides of their body in whatever activity they undertake – not to be stereotyped into being right or left handed.
“The fundamental principle here is that it provides young children with all-round development.”