Watch: An ingenious piece of wicketkeeping, named ‘The Switch’, from former New Zealand gloveman Peter McGlashan has resurfaced on Twitter.

The clip, from a domestic T20 match in New Zealand, showed the wicketkeeper sprinting up the side of the pitch after the ball had been hit to long-off to gather the ball by the stumps at the non-striker’s end and complete the run out as the batting pair attempted a second run.

The theory behind the move is that it’s that end, with a shorter throwing distance, where a run out is more likely to come, and McGlashan’s presence makes the chance of a costly fumble, such as the Nathan Lyon error that arguably cost Australia their place in the World Test Championship final, less likely.

In a short thread on Twitter, he explained how the ploy would work, with him shouting ‘Switch’ to signal his intent to charge up the other end, and revealed how, in this instance, the move didn’t actually go as planned. Ideally, according to McGlashan, the bowler is supposed to run up to the keeper’s end, in the off-chance that turns out to be the end with the possibility of a run out.

Out's out, how can the other end have been more out? 😊Plan was actually when I called Switch the bowler was sposed to carry on their follow thru rather than go back to stumps. @bwadley10 didn't in this case. Still longer throw that would have taken longer 2 get 2 me at Kprs end

— Peter McGlashan (@PeterMcGlashan) January 9, 2020

McGlashan also detailed another innovation he implemented, wearing body armour and a full face mask when keeping, allowing him to stay tall and attempt to “charge down” any ramp or scoop shots played.

I also wore upper body “armour” so I could confidently stand up to all our quick bowlers. Allowed me to “charge down” ramp shots & cut off the ball at it’s lowest point (rather than watch it sail over me standing back). NB- Those aren’t my Delts…💪🏽🏏 pic.twitter.com/NR6rcjqgod

— Peter McGlashan (@PeterMcGlashan) January 9, 2020

While not too many keepers might be willing to throw themselves into the line of fire just to prevent four, the thought of adding a dismissal in the scorebook is one which might tempt them to try ‘The Switch’.

Watch ‘The Switch’ in action below:

So glad 2 hv found this, thanks Alex! Can’t understand why more Keepers don’t do it. Much easier 4 me with Keeping Gloves 2 gather throw than bowler as Non-striker sneaks 2nd & gambles on fumble. I’d call “Switch” when I was going so other fielders knew 2 fill gap at Keepers end pic.twitter.com/GbPxyIOg8p

— Peter McGlashan (@PeterMcGlashan) January 9, 2020

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