Graeme Pollock says cricket has swung too far in favour of batsmen after the MCC okayed Pietersen's switch-hit shot.

In the opening game of the NatWest Series against New Zealand last Sunday, Pietersen scored a virtuoso century, which included two remarkable sixes off the bowling of Scott Styris for which he changed his batting stance from right to left-handed as the ball approached him.

Pietersen - who was born in Pietermaritzburg, Natal but elected to represent the country of his mother's birth after becoming disenchanted with the South African quota system - had his unusual tactics reviewed by the MCC this week and cricket fans were largely relieved when his innovation was found to be within the rules.

South Africa legend Pollock, thought by some to be the best left-handed batsman the game has ever seen, told the Cape Times he enjoyed the spectacle, but called on the rules guardians to rethink their decision to allow Pietersen's unique strokeplay.

"It was a quality shot, wasn't it? One hell of an effort. It's one thing playing a reverse sweep, but to hit the ball over mid-wicket takes some doing," Pollock said.

"However, I think it definitely needs to be looked at. I know the MCC have condoned it, but that's probably the easiest thing to do right now.

"I know it also adds excitement to the game, but if a bowler has to say which side or hand he is bowling from or with before he delivers the ball, surely a batsman has to do the same."

Pollock, who boasts a first-class batting average of 60.97, feels bowlers are getting a raw deal in the Twenty20 era.

He said: "My one problem with all the rules changes coming into the game is that they always favour the batsmen.

"Isn't it the entire point of cricket to be a fair contest between bat and ball?

"I know the public would rather see runs than wickets, so maybe administrators have consciously decided to take the game that way, especially with all the fielding restrictions, leg-side rules and bouncer limitations.

"Who wants to be a bowler in Twenty20 cricket? We'll probably see batsmen facing up to a bowling machine in T20 matches one-day."