Kieswetter’s surprise at senior England call-up
ONE-DAY sensation Craig Kieswetter has admitted his call-up to the England squad took him by surprise.
The Somerset wicketkeeper-batsman has been parachuted into the senior one-day squad for the current tour of Bangladesh after impressing on the recent Lions’ tour of the United Arab Emirates.
South Africa-born Kieswetter, 22, only completed his four-year qualification period last week, and was seen as an outside bet for a call-up to the Twenty20 World Cup squad in May.
But Kieswetter says his rapid elevation to the senior squad has shocked even him, and admits there will be more than the odd touch of nerves once he is given his chance to shine.
“I’m very surprised but very excited about this opportunity. I wasn’t expecting it at all,” he said.
“I’m really chuffed, really excited to be coming in but there are butterflies and nerves going around.
“But I’ll be trying to do the best that I can in training and hopefully in the matches too. I’ll keep my head down, work hard and if I get the chance I’ll try to take that as well.”
Kieswetter’s call came despite national selector Geoff Miller warning of the need to be “careful” about picking more South Africa-born players.