In the middle of the India tour of Australia, the debate over the batting change has heated up after Australian spin legend Shane Warne shared his thoughts. A couple of days ago, former Australian captain Ian Chappell expressed his frustration when Glenn Maxwell thwarted the Indian attack with this particular shot.
The former Australian captain had said that it is very annoying and extremely unfair when a batter becomes an “opponent” and frustrates the fielding set by the opposing captain. He even went so far as to urge the International Cricket Council (ICC) to ban this style of batting.
And now, Shane Warne has favored Ian Chappell, stating that while the shot entertains the crowd, it also gives the batter an unfair advantage.
“As a bowler, we have to nominate which hand we are playing with and which side of the wicket we are playing with,” Warne was quoted as saying by Fox Sports on Wednesday.
“I’m setting up a field for a right-hand hitter, so now when they make a batting change, I’m actually pitching a left-hand hitter. I’m not sure I like it. It is worth a discussion, it is worth a debate to determine what is right. Maybe the pitcher can run behind the umpire and dive over or around him.
However, the opinion of former Australian goalkeeper Ian Healy differed from that of Chappell. Instead, the former said that bowlers should take some responsibility to better anticipate it.
“I think bowlers have to be a little bit better, they have to be more mindful,” Healy said.
“Last minute changes for bowlers are not that great at the moment, but they will get better at that. But it is complicated, it is very complicated. Let the hitters do it, not many are doing it well, but those who do it are incredible cheerleaders, “he added.
The problem arose after Australian off-roader Glenn Maxwell played a couple of switch shots during ODI’s matches against India in Sydney. He tormented the Indian attack, scoring fifty straight in the first two games that India lost by 66 runs and 51 runs respectively.
Maxwell continued his form in the third ODI on Wednesday as well. He made it another half century, but ended up scoring 59 of 38 in Australia’s 303-run chase. The visitors successfully defended the total, winning the game by 13 runs with 3 balls to spare.
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