b6 against the Reverse Sicilian

Hi,

I am open for discussion about the merits of this defense. I recently had a game where the opponent opened with 1. c4. Then, I was thinking about how the English usually develop with fianchettoed bishop on g2, and I was looking for something different. So I came up with 2... b6 (after 1.c4 e5 2.Nc3 b6) hoping to challenge White's fianchettoed bishop directly. I thought this was an original idea and I was pretty proud of it. The game went okay, but after the game I did a look up on the opening explorer. To my disappointment, the statistics for 2.. b6 isn't so good.

What do you guys think about the merits of this defense? Is it playable? If it is flawed as indicated by the statistics, where are its flaws? I personally think it is playable. Thanks.

Well, since you gave it an exclam, I guess you must like it.  I don't though...since it's likely that you're going to be led into an inflexible formation for your pawns on the queenside.