Somerset ace Kieswetter dismisses Vaughan's 'issues'
Somerset's Craig Kieswetter cracked his first international century and then dismissed Michael Vaughan's suggestion that he should not be playing for England.
South Africa-born Kieswetter top-scored with 107 as England completed a one-day series whitewash over Bangladesh in Chittagong with a 45-run triumph.
But former England captain Vaughan has claimed that those, like Kieswetter, who have played Under-19 cricket for other countries, should not be allowed to switch allegiance.
"It's something that I'm going to have to put up with for my whole career," said Kieswetter.
"I was born with a British passport, I've done my four years, I am British, and I don't see it as an issue. Everyone is entitled to their opinions, but for me it's about putting performances in on the park and helping England win."
The Sabres' wicketkeeper now looks certain to open the batting for England in the World Twenty20 in the West Indies in May.
But he voiced his desire to hit the ground running with Somerset CCC in pre-season and is set to feature in at least the first three games of the county campaign.
The 22-year-old added: "It's obviously really nice to get a hundred under my belt, especially so early in my career.
"It's something I'm going to cherish and the fact that we won the game, and the series, means a lot too.
"But I'm not trying not to look that far ahead right now. At the moment I'm just looking forward to going back to Somerset and putting in some solid pre-season performances down there.
"If I get selected (by England) I'll be really chuffed and really excited but I'm just taking every day as it comes."
"Matty Prior has been taking the keeping to the next level and he's doing a fantastic job at the moment," said Kieswetter. "But for me it's about trying to score as many runs as I can and trying to push him in training with the gloves."
Kieswetter's century came after scores of 19 and four in the first two games.
"For me it was about being able to adapt mentality," he said. "In the first two games I wasn't quite aware tactically of how I was going to pace my innings, helping the team win the game.
"Today I tried to pace myself a bit more, and try to get myself in more before playing big shots.
"It's been an eye-opener out here, but whenever you go to different countries and different continents, you have to adapt your game. It was a mental change for me, but I'm happy with how it turned out."
Kieswetter now returns to England as he is not part of the squad for the upcoming two-match Test series. He was the only player to pass 50 in the match as England totalled 284-5. Bangladesh made 239-9 with Tim Bresnan claiming 4-28.







Comments
by TimothyB, Upper Knowle
Saturday, March 06 2010, 1:24PM
“This is a bit pot kettle black.
Michael Vaughan was born in Lancashire, but claims to be a Yorkshireman. He uses the phrase "Just because a pig is born in a stable doesn't make it a horse". Kind of Ironic, don't you think?”