England ODI keeper Kieswetter backs Pietersen to fire again

China National News (ANI) Friday 10th February, 2012

England wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter has backed beleaguered Kevin Pietersen to regain his form, which earned him reputation of being one of the finest one-days batsman in international cricket.

Pietersen hasn't scored an ODI century since 2008 and has been out of form lately after starting his ODI career for England in a prolific manner.

He has been promoted to open the innings along with Alastair Cook in place of Kieswetter, who will now bat at number 5.

Kieswetter believes the more opportunities Pietersen gets, the better it will be for him.

"Kevin is a fantastic cricketer. The more opportunity we give him to bat for a long time and face a lot of balls, the better," The Sun quoted Kieswetter, as saying.

He said everyone in the England camp is hoping for Pietersen to come back at its best and start scoring runs.

"We're hoping he can play like the old KP and set up platforms for the side to build great scores," he said.

Kieswetter also stressed that he is happy to bat anywhere in the order for England, albeit batting in the middle-order for him will entirely be a new challenge for him.

"I'll bat wherever England want me. The middle order is obviously a different role and it's a new challenge being asked to manipulate the spinners - but the point of a team game is to be adaptable," he added. (ANI)