MCC give approval to Pietersen stroke

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Pietersen's stunning shots during Sunday's opening match of the NatWest Series against New Zealand, when he changed his stance from a right-handed batsman to left-handed and launched Scott Styris for two sixes, have divided the cricket community.

The International Cricket Council, the world's governing body, referred the issue to the MCC as the governors of the game's laws, and after a meeting they determined it was an innovative and legal shot.

In a statement, the MCC confirmed: "The 'switch-hit' stroke is exciting for the game of cricket. Indeed, the stroke conforms to the Laws of Cricket and will not be legislated against.

"(The) MCC believe that the 'switch-hit' stroke is a difficult shot to execute and that it incurs a great deal of risk for the batsman.

"It also offers bowlers a good chance of taking a wicket and therefore the MCC believe that the shot is fair to both batsman and bowlers."

While Pietersen's shot has now been officially legalised, the MCC have agreed to look into the laws regarding both wide deliveries and lbw, which can both be affected by a batsman changing his stance.