Cricket never had much of a reputation for embracing innovation but now the stately rhythm of the five-day Test is being elbowed out of the way by the hell-for-leather scramble of Twenty20 perhaps it’s no surprise that the Mongoose bat Stuart Law used on Tuesday has generated hardly a whimper of protest.

Midway through his innings for Derbyshire on Tuesday, Law switched to using the new Mongoose T20 bat, which, we are told, has a handle that’s 33 percent longer than the standard bat, but with hardly anything in the way of shoulder.

At first glance it looks a bit odd, something that’d be very useful for killing spiders but a bit awkward for batting. Still, Law sounded cautiously pleased with it after a brief knock that included one huge six. Here’s a Law quote from The Buzz:

“You need to get used to it,” Law said. “The greater bat-speed means you’re more inclined to go through early with the stroke — which is a good thing in a way.”

The question now is whether we’ll see this thing being used at the World Twenty20, which is almost upon us. And if so, is there anything wrong with that? From what I’ve read, it sounds like the lack of shoulder means it might not be appropriate for facing quick bowlers, but seeing as slower bowlers seem to be key to success at the Twenty20 game this thing could have a profound impact.

And never has the phrase “Give it the long handle” been more apposite.

Mongoose photo by Alexandra Beier/Reuters. And you’re right, we didn’t have one of Law batting yesterday.