Switching sides

Sat, Jul 5 02:44 AM

What on earth are you doing, Mina?" exclaimed my husband, approaching the spot where I stood, cricket bat in hand, trying in vain to bat right-handed and then left. "Practising switch-hitting!" I replied. I was thinking about Kevin Pietersen, the cricketer. His headline-grabbing switch-batting act, where he hits the ball both right and left - for sixes - leaves onlookers shocked and awed.

To change stance from right to left, and vice versa, takes some doing. How advantageous it must be to be so adroit. It is, more importantly, advantageous to be flexible in approach and prepared for any situation, to be progressive and audacious. Even the staid old Marylebone Cricket Club is looking ahead, and has given the go-ahead to the use of this slog switch. The times are indeed changing. Kevin's switch-on-the-pitch has opened up immense possibilities. The old left-right batting combinations that upset a bowler's rhythm will now give way to ambidextrous batsmen who can "mix things up" throughout the match: left-right combo, a right-right sight, a left and left alone.

The word "left" is, of course, instantly associated with the Left parties and their resistance to the nuclear deal. The UPA urgently requires an eleventh hour miracle. "A political switch - and a left-right changeover!" I exclaimed.

"What are you talking about?" asked my husband.

"We all know about the UPA-Left problems. But this can change. If Pietersen can alter his stance from right to left, surely the Left can reverse their stand on the nuclear deal, and in the name of progress (United Progressive Alliance), switch on the green signal and say 'Right - we'll sign it.' The UPA would grab it with both hands."

My husband demurred: "What if the Congress suddenly becomes left-wing and refuses to write on the dotted line?"

"Then it's an O. Henry twist, and the deal stays hit - for a six!"

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