Former Australian wicket-keeper Ian Healy has responded to Ian Chappell’s passionate rant on banning the switch-hit.
Speaking to nine.com.au, Chappell believes the lack of ruling on the tactic presents an unfair advantage to the batsman.
“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,” Chappell said.
“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.”
While Chappell wants the tactic outlawed, Healy believes the shot is play-on as long as the batsman switches only their body position, not their hands.
“I think switching hands is a bit interesting, you’re turning yourself into a different batsman,” Healy said on 1170 SEN Breakfast.
“But switching your body position, go for it.
“I think bowlers have got to be a little bit better, they’ve got to be more aware.
“Last minute changes for the bowlers aren’t that great at the moment, but they’ll get better at that.
“But it is tricky, it’s very tricky.
“Let the batters do it, not many are doing it well, but the one’s that do are incredible entertainers.”
Healy believes added leniency on leg-side wides would give the necessary assistance to the bowler if the batsman opts for a switch-hit.
“The bowlers will have to get better, I think we can have a little bit more leniency on the leg side,” Healy added.
“If they swap sides where they’re going to hit, the bowlers may need a little leniency if they’re going to continue to allow it.”
Listen to Healy’s full chat on 1170 SEN Breakfast below.