Switch-Hit A Different Part Of The Evolution Of The Game: Glenn Maxwell

Australian swashbuckling middle-order batsman Glenn Maxwell has weighed in on recent criticism that the ‘switch-hit’ has received from former Aussie captain-turned commentator Ian Chappell.

Maxwell is one of the poster-boys of innovative cricket shots like the ‘switch-hit’; a shot he pulled off to a great effect on a consistent basis in the recently-concluded three-match ODI series against India.

Following Maxwell’s repeated use of the ‘switch-hit’, former cricketer Ian Chappell had said that while the shot is incredibly skillful, it ‘annoys the hell out of him’ as it is unfair to the bowlers. Chappell had argued that why is it that a bowler has to inform the umpire about what he is going to bowl while the batsman can change his stance and his grip whenever he wants.

Chappell had also said that if a player had played such a shot against his team during his playing days, then he would have proceeded to take the matter into his own hands.

“How can one side of the game, ie. the bowlers, they have to tell the umpire how they’re going to bowl. And yet the batsman, he lines up as a right-hander I’m the fielding captain, I place the field for the right-hander and before the ball’s been delivered, the batsman becomes a left-hander,” Ian Chappell told nine.com.au.

“One of the main reasons why he’s becoming a left-hander is so he can take advantage of those field placings. I’d love the administrators who made those laws, I’d love them to explain to me how that’s fair. I just can’t believe the players don’t arc-up about it. If I’m captain, I’m going to take the ball myself and I’m going to tell the umpire I’m bowling right-arm over [the wicket], and then I’m going to run in and bowl around,” he said.

Also Read- Watch: Glenn Maxwell Smokes Ravindra Jadeja For A 108 Meter Six

‘I suppose the way that batting is evolving, I think bowling has got to evolve to the same stage’- Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell has now responded to Ian Chappell’s criticism, claiming that the ‘switch-hit’ is a ”different part of the evolution of the game”.

The swashbuckler added that the batting has evolved and has gotten better and better over the years and it is now up to the bowlers to try and come up with new tricks to outthink the batsmen.

“It’s within the laws of the game. I think batting has evolved in such a way that it’s just got better and better over the years which is why we’re seeing these massive scores getting chased down and scores are going up,” Glenn Maxwell said.

“I suppose it’s up to the bowlers to try and combat that, and the skills of bowlers are being tested every day. They’re having to come up with different change-ups and different ways to stop batters, and with the way they shut down one side of the ground and what-not. I suppose the way that batting is evolving, I think bowling has got to evolve to the same stage, so you see guys come up with knuckle balls and wide-yorker fields and different tactics. The tactics of one-day cricket have definitely evolved over the last little bit as well, so I just see it as a different part of the evolution of the game,” Maxwell said.

Oh. My. Word.

Glenn Maxwell just reversed swept a ball 100m into the stands ?? pic.twitter.com/UbCSKFEGl0

— Cricket on BT Sport (@btsportcricket) December 2, 2020