Kieswetter: pushing Prior will help team

Colin Crompton
Tuesday 23 February 2010 01:00 GMT
Comments
(PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Craig Kieswetter believes any pressure he can exert on Matt Prior, the incumbent wicketkeeper, can only be of benefit to the England side.

Like Prior, Kieswetter is South Africa-born, blessed with ample confidence and an aggressive stroke-maker. The Somerset player, who only became England-eligible last week, was hastily promoted to the one-day squad for Bangladesh after some eye-catching displays for the England Lions, but he is keen not to be left carrying the drinks.

"I think Matt Prior is doing a great job, he's taking England keeping up a level," Kieswetter said yesterday. "Competition can be seen as a positive thing for English cricket. Maybe it's a good thing for younger players to be coming through and putting pressure on the guys."

His eagerness to play attacking shots from the off, combined with a hitting power which enables him to make full use of the early fielding restrictions in limited-overs cricket, has resulted in Kieswetter being touted as a ready-made solution to England's opening struggles. "I'm very surprised but very excited about this opportunity. I wasn't expecting it at all," said the 22-year-old. "I'm really chuffed to be coming in but there are butterflies and nerves going around."

Kieswetter is expected to play, but not keep wicket, against a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI in a 50-over warm-up in Dhaka today.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in