Cricket fans are abuzz about the MCC's decision to decree England batting ace Kevin Pietersen's remarkable switch-hit legal.

"MCC believes that the 'switch-hit' stroke is exciting for the game of cricket. Indeed, the stroke conforms to the Laws of Cricket and will not be legislated against", read the MCC's statement overnight.

So what is the hoo-ha about? Well, strictly speaking, the laws of cricket relating to the batsman's stance and his chances of being out leg before wicket (LBW) were potentilly thrown out of whack by the reversal of his stance. Also, if bowlers are meant to inform the upmpire about changing the side of the pitch they bowl from, is the batsman required to alert the umpire about his grip-change?

Haven't seen this remarkable piece of cricket wizardry from the South-African born England star?

Watch this:

A quick search of Technorati's many search results for KP shows just how many.

The Times Online's cricket blogger Patrick Kidd backs the old firm's decision:

The gentlemen in grey suits who safeguard and occasionally alter the Laws of Cricket met at Lord's today to discuss Kevin Pietersen's exotic shot-making and have decided that there is nothing infra dig about changing one's stance and reverse slogging a bowler for six.

But the MCC has reserved the right to keep investigating the issue, particularly with respect to wide deliveries and the ever-contentious LBW:

MCC accepts that the use of a 'switch-hit' may have implications for other Laws of the game, principally Law 25 (Wide ball) and Law 36 (LBW), and will continue to research and discuss these implications.

Which suggests there could be more to come on the switch-hit front. Let's hope so. What do you think of the whole issue?