Craig
Kieswetter

Biography

Craig Kieswetter has developed into one of the most exciting talents in English cricket since making the switch from South Africa to further his education.

Born and raised in South Africa, Kieswetter enrolled at Millfield School as an 18-year-old in 2006 and his vast potential was quickly spotted by Somerset, who gave him his first team debut the following year.

It was an opportunity he seized and despite playing for South Africa in the under-19 World Cup in 2005-6, where he claimed the man-of-the-match award for hitting 80 off 66 balls against USA, Kieswetter decided to qualify for England via his Scottish mother.

He has developed steadily into one of the most aggressive batsmen-wicketkeepers in county cricket and hit 1242 championship runs at an average of 59.14, including four hundreds and seven half-centuries, during the 2009 season.

Those efforts earned his selection into the PCA team of the year and prompted the England selectors to fast-track him into their Performance Squad for the tour to South Africa in 2009-10.

Somerset team-mate Marcus Trescothick has likened Kieswetter's batting style to Kevin Pietersen, and he has not been afraid to ask advice of more experienced players, seeking out Justin Langer during his time with the county while he has also spoken to Essex wicketkeeper James Foster and Australian legend Adam Gilchrist.

He made such an impression on England's selectors he was fast-tracked onto the England Performance Programme early in 2010 and his breakthrough innings came against the senior England side in a warm-up Twenty20 match in Abu Dhabi, when Kieswetter hammered 81 off 66 balls and was quickly promoted into the one-day squad for the tour to Bangladesh.

He scored his maiden one-day international century in his third appearance, which effectively secured his selection into England's squad for the ICC World Twenty20 tournament in the Caribbean in early 2009.

Kieswetter's stunning performances at the top of the order, which culminated in a man-of-the-match display in the final against Australia when he hit 63 off 49 balls, helped England make history to lift their first major international one-day trophy in Barbados. 

Such was his impact on that tournament, he also replaced Sussex’s Matt Prior in the squad as wicketkeeper for the one-day series against Australia, mid-way through the 2010 season.