Langer hails Somerset hero Kieswetter

Justin Langer described Craig Kieswetter as a potential 100-Test match player after the wicketkeeper's astonishing innings led Somerset into the Twenty20 Cup quarter-finals.

Kieswetter's 84 from 41 balls, with four sixes and eight fours, was the mainstay of Somerset CCC's three-wicket win against Gloucestershire CCC at Bristol.

The home side looked certain winners after Somerset were reduced to 23-4 in the sixth over. But Kieswetter and Pete Trego (49 off 26 balls) staged a remarkable fightback.

South Africa-born Kieswetter qualifies for England in February. Langer accepts the 21-year-old has to work on his wicketkeeping but has no doubt he has an international future.

"Craig is a superstar in the making and I have thought that for three years since I first saw him," he said.

"That could be the defining moment of his new career. He has definitely got the talent (to go into the England side).

"If he keeps working and developing his wicketkeeping he can be a 100-Test match player. Him and Trego love the cameras. They will be making the most of it."

Langer's side are now sure of at least finishing third in the Midlands/Wales and West Division and that will be enough to qualify because no team from the North group can surpass their 13 points. "One of the great things about this developing team is they have great character and we fight back from situations," said the skipper.

"We saw that in the field and we saw that with the bat, so it is a real credit to them.

"It was extraordinary because you talk to anyone and they say the first six overs of each innings is vital in Twenty20. Well we lost the first six when we bowled and we definitely lost it when we batted."

Acting Gloucestershire skipper Will Porterfield said: "We are disappointed. Maybe we could have got a few more runs because we got off to a flier, but you have to say they were fantastic and if someone gets 80-odd off 40-odd balls that is hard to defend."

Porterfield also played down the importance of the decision to give Somerset six bonus runs for the hosts' slow over-rate in the penultimate over.

"Take nothing away from them," said the Irishman. "The game was more or less over at that stage."

Somerset CCC's final game of the group away to Warwickshire tomorrow will determine whether they can seal a home quarter-final by topping the table. Meanwhile, Gloucestershire CCC have only a wooden spoon decider at home to Glamorgan.