Not practical to ban switch-hit: Taufel

Former ICC Elite Panel umpire Simon Taufel feels it will not be practical to outlaw the switch-hit shot, adding that it’s “impossible” for the on-field umpire to monitor the batsman for change in grip or stance.

Earlier this week, former Australian skipper Ian Chappell had suggested the ICC to ban switch-hitting saying the shot is “blatantly unfair” to the bowlers and the fielding team.

A switch hit involves a batsman changing the order of his hands (from left-handed to right handed grip or vice-versa) after the bowler has already started on his run-up.

“The game of cricket is not a science, it’s an art. We’re not perfect,” the former ICC Elite Panel umpire was quoted as saying by Sydney Morning Herald. “When we say that we want to ban that type of shot how does the umpire officiate that? It’s impossible,” Taufel added.

The Australian, who umpired 74 Test matches and 174 ODIs before quitting in 2012 and was named ICC Umpire of the Year for five consecutive years from 2004 to 2008, said on-field umpire already has to make several decisions.

“The umpire has an enormous number of decisions — front foot, back foot, protected area, seeing where a ball is hit — it’s impossible to have an official then watch for the changing of the grip or stance.

“It’s an impossible ask for a standing umpire to make that determination,” Taufel said. “We can’t make a law that we can’t apply,” he added.