David Lloyd

CRICKET

Styris, like all his Kiwi team-mates, watched in astonishment at Chester-le-Street on Sunday as right-hander Pietersen twice turned himself into a left-hander and smashed two huge sixes off the experienced, medium-pace bowler.

Marylebone Cricket Club, guardians of the game's laws, today ruled the shot is not only legitimate but also exciting for cricket. And Styris is in full agreement. "Sometimes you just have to take your hat off and say well played," he said.

"We all admire good cricket and that was exactly what it was. I don't believe it's against the spirit of the game or anything like that. I just say, 'Nice shot'.

"I actually thought about trying it myself when I batted but decided if I got out doing it then it would be a double blow against me.

"As a bowler, I need to come up with a new tactic because he does take some time to turn and set himself for the shot. There are a few options; fuller, straighter, wider, faster."

Styris was clearly shell-shocked on Sunday, so much so that he could not prevent Pietersen from repeating his stroke of genius a second time. But the Kiwis believe an encore at Edgbaston could bring about KP's downfall.

Styris agrees with New Zealand coach John Bracewell in hoping Pietersen keeps chancing his arm.

He said: "Kevin's got out a few times with the reverse sweep. The shot came off for him on Sunday because he was well set and playing well. If it keeps coming off for him, great; if it doesn't, then we'll get a wicket."

Like MCC's law-makers, Styris believes the regulations regarding wides and leg before need looking at to deal with a batsman changing his stance so radically but, otherwise, he is happy to take his chances.

And there is certainly no possibility of England urging their flamboyant batsman to ease back during tomorrow's second one-day international.

"I think KP's shot is brilliant," said spinner Graeme Swann. "I honestly can't understand the furore it's caused but it's got everybody talking - 16,000 people left the ground on Sunday talking about it and it's dominated the headlines ever since.

"I think it's fantastic. He's a freak of nature how he can do it, and not just dribble the ball over the line but clear it handsomely. It was awesome.

"People have been reverse sweeping in county cricket for years and Paul Nixon hit me for a massive six a few weeks ago.

"The sheer audacity of Kev to pull it off is what I liked about it the most. To hit it as cleanly as he did, and as far as he did, was amazing. To try it was laughable; to pull it off was pure KP."

Pietersen needed no invitation to try the shot again in the nets today.

"He's almost impossible to bowl at when he decides to play all his sweeps and reverse sweeps," Swann added

So how will England's off-spinner react if an opponent tries to club him out of the ground wrong-handed?

"I'll fire the ball a foot down what is now his leg side and get a dot ball," said Swann. "The sheer shock value was what worked so well the other day. Scott Styris had never seen it before - none of us had seen it before - but I'm sure they will have come up with a plan now to try to counteract it."

Not surprisingly, Pietersen was delighted with the MCC's verdict.

"I don't agree with the argument that it is unfair on the bowlers," he said. "It's an extremely high-risk shot and there will be plenty of bowlers out there who will think it gives them a great opportunity to get me out.

"But overall I am glad that MCC have recognised that cricket is evolving and that this particular shot brings something special to the game. I have spent many hours in the nets working on it."