Craig Kieswetter aims to establish himself as the answer to England's problems at the top of the order in one-day cricket and the early signs are he has found the right path.
Kieswetter's top scored in last night's 110-run win over Sri Lanka at The Oval but it was the manner of his innings of 61 that suggested the penny might be dropping.
The 23-year-old showed better shot selection, better judgment and a greater range of strokes as he gave England the platform to build an imposing total of 229 for eight from their 32 overs, a score Sri Lanka never looked likely to chase down.
Jimmy Anderson did the damage with the ball but it was Kieswetter who set the tone, reaching his half‑century from only 45 balls and paving the way for Eoin Morgan and, later, Tim Bresnan to accelerate.
Kieswetter's effort helped Alastair Cook achieve a winning start as England's permanent 50‑over captain and both men will be hoping for more of the same in the second game of the five-match NatWest Series at Headingley on Friday. "Craig played very well," said Cook. "He can hit the ball really hard. That's why he is in the side and it's great for him to get back to scoring straight away."
England today confirmed they will play Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates this winter.
Pakistan are unable to host home series due to security concerns and so will face England in four Tests, four one-day internationals and three Twenty20s in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The tour adds to a programme that will also see England travel to India for five ODIs and a Twenty20 in October before a two-Test series in Sri Lanka in March-April.
