Lionhearted Kieswetter returns to his old Scottish stamping ground

TWENTY-FOUR hours after completing the qualification process for England during the winter Craig Kieswetter was selected for the England Lions. It was February, he had plans of developing his cricket over the winter before pushing for higher honours this summer, but it all changed after one startling innings against the full England side in a practice match in Dubai. What Andy Flower saw in his 81 from 66 balls was the answer to his opening batsman problems.

It needed testing though so Kieswette It needed testing though so Kieswetter made his full debut in Bangladesh and a composed century in his third match was enough for a spot in the World Twenty20 squad. It was a rapid ascension, partly warranted but also partly because England had tried and discarded many openers since the retirement of Marcus

Trescothick. A gap needed to be filled and Kieswetter with Michael Lumb were the latest try-outs. We know what then happened in the Caribbean with Kieswetter to the fore with a scintillating half-century in the final as England won their first ever global trophy. And yesterday he was at the Grange, proudly representing his adopted country against Scotland, the land of his mother's birth.

South African-born Kieswetter has a confusing heritage, but one in which his Scots roots are prominent.

"My mother made sure of that," he explained. "She is very proud of being Scottish and my brother and I have always been told about Scotland, have been here many times and had this feeling of being part Scottish instilled in us." And despite his father being South African he has a special role in Scotland as he is part-owner of the Benriach Distillery in Speyside. Clearly wherever Kieswetter turns he has Scottish influences so returning to the Grange for a game of cricket is special. "Of course it is, a very proud moment," continued Kieswetter. "My uncle used to play there and we used to watch him play rugby just across the way. Loads of family were there to see me but I'm especially pleased my grandparents were there. It was them we used to come and visit every Christmas for a family holiday in Haddington, just outside Edinburgh. They took my brother and I into the Highlands, took us ice-skating and skiing on the hills which was amazing for two little boys who lived in Johannesburg and Cape Town. We'd never seen snow before so you can imagine how much fun we had at six years old. We learned so much about Scotland that even now I feel part of it.

"One place I need to get is St Andrews," he added. "I've seen it on TV so many times and it has such history so playing there is on my to do list."

There should be a lot on his to do list though and most of it involving winning more trophies with England. In a short time he has become the first choice wicketkeeper for all limited overs cricket and it is because of his ability to hit the ball well at the top of the innings. If he fails in that regard he will lose his place, so continued aggression, but judicious aggression, is vital for him and England. What helps is his ability to lift the opening bowlers over the infield, particularly on the off-side.

He is a dasher rather than a slasher, which augurs well for longevity but, even so, the England management must be prepared to persist with him through the inevitable lean spells.

But he is only 22 years old and already a World Cup winner. Importantly he fulfilled the holiest of grails for any aspiring sportsperson. He delivered a match-winning performance in the biggest match under the greatest pressure. When a player in any sport can do that then something special is present and needs to be nurtured.

At Somerset, Kieswetter's county, they realised that he had something special, but in chats with the likes of Keith Parsons and Trescothick it has been his mental strength that has impressed them.

He is a driven individual but he needs to be as wicket-keepers in the modern game have to be - all-rounders. The days of just being a gloveman have long gone but even though more attention is focused on the batting skills of keepers, one dropped chance in a high profile match can have the media sharpening their pencils.

Kieswetter is aware of this and is assiduous in his work ethic. If he is any doubt how quickly fortune can turn against a player he only need review the start of Matt Prior's England career.

A Test match century, selected in all forms, and within months a bit of a pariah for some stupid chatter behind the stumps and a series of dropped catches. He returned stronger and wiser, but it is a warning for Kieswetter.

"I take nothing for granted in this game. I know how quickly form can come and go so all I can do is work hard and keep playing for the team. That was what was so special in the Twenty20. Opening in that you have to be quite selfless and I enjoyed doing that. Everything was about the team moving forward and that was obvious throughout the whole squad so I could play my role with confidence."

Kieswetter has come a long way. It is pleasing that he can return to a childhood stamping ground a champion and know his Uncle is watching him, 'just over the way'.