England cricketer Kevin Pietersen will be permitted to carry on playing his extraordinary 'reverse slog-sweep' after cricket's rule-makers the MCC decided not to outlaw the shot.

"MCC believes that the 'switch-hit' stroke is exciting for the game of cricket," said a statement issued by Marylebone Cricket Club following a meeting at it's Lord's headquarters in London on Tuesday.

VIDEO: Watch Kevin Pietersen's controversial 'switch-hit'
YOUR SAY: Is it cricket? Is Pietersen's shot unfair?

"Indeed, the stroke conforms to the Laws of Cricket and will not be legislated against."

Pietersen, who effectively became a left rather than right-handed batsman when using the shot to twice hit New Zealand medium-pacer Scott Styris for six during an unbeaten century in England's opening one-day international win on Sunday, welcomed the ruling.

"I am very pleased by the MCC's decision and I think it's the right one not just for me or England but the game as a whole," said Pietersen, training at Edgbaston.

"It's important that we as players are innovative and if this shot helps make cricket more exciting and entertaining for spectators then that has to be good for the sport."

'Unfair to bowlers' claim

Styris, the man on the receiving end of the 'switch-hit', also had no problems with Pietersen's shot-making.

"Sometimes you've just got to take your hat off and say 'well-played'," he said ahead of New Zealand's training session. "We all admire good cricket and I think that's exactly what it was."

But some critics branded Pietersen's shot 'unfair' because bowlers, unlike batsmen, have to inform the umpire with which hand they will be delivering the ball and from which side of the wicket or risk being penalised.

"I don't agree with the argument that it is unfair on the bowlers," Pietersen said. "It's an extremely high risk shot and there will be plenty of bowlers out there who will think it gives them a great opportunity to get me out." 

Meanwhile Graeme Swann, an England team-mate of Pietersen's, was still trying to come to terms with the nerve of the South Africa-born batsman.

"The sheer audacity of Kev is what I liked most about it, it was laughable," said the off-spinner. "The fact he pulled it off was just pure KP.

"I'm sure there will be other people trying it but I'm willing to bet my bottom dollar that there's no-one else in the world who can do it like Kev did on Sunday."