Kieswetter buoyed by facing Tait pace

Nottingham:

England's Craig Kieswetter insisted on Friday he "really enjoyed" facing a 100 miles per hour delivery from Australia's Shaun Tait during a sensational spell of fast bowling at Lord's last weekend.

Tait was impressively quick from the first ball of England's innings in the fifth one-day international at Lord's last Sunday as he produced an over the likes of which had not been seen at the 'home of cricket' in years.

Sky Sports clocked his fifth delivery at 100mph but wicketkeeper/batsman Kieswetter, opening the innings against Australia in a series England won 3-2 despite a 42-run loss at Lord's, played it onto the legside.

South Africa-born Kieswetter, who made his name internationally during the England's World Twenty20 triumph over Australia in May, said facing such sheer speed had been exhilarating.

"I really enjoyed it to be honest," he told reporters here. "To face a hostile spell of bowling and get through it gave me a lot of confidence."

"Unfortunately I got out at the other end (to Ryan Harris) with a soft dismissal off a leading edge but to face a 100mph delivery is what international cricket is about.

"I am pretty proud I'm the first batsman on English soil to face that. It is a real buzz and exciting to know you are testing yourself against that."

Kieswetter, who like Kevin Pietersen has taken the controversial step to turn his back on his native South Africa in order to play for England, is still in the early stages of his international career.

Yet to play Test cricket, the 22-year-old made his one-day debut in Bangladesh in February and has now played 10 ODIs.

Against world champions Australia, however, Kieswetter could only manage 69 runs in five matches at an average of just under 14.

"They are the number one international one-day side in the world," said Kieswetter, who plays country cricket for Somerset.

"It was a fantastic experience playing against them. They had four or five top quality bowlers running in at you. It was a step up playing a top three team in the world.

"I did not get the runs I wanted to but I learned a lot from the five games and I feel I am constantly improving which is all I can ask," added Kieswetter.

Having taken over in the one-day and Twenty20 teams from Matt Prior, he is now looking to oust the Sussex stumper from the Test side, ahead of the Ashes tour of Australia later this year.

Kieswetter's form at the World Twenty20 has led to speculation he could fetch a bid in the next player auction for the lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL) in October.

"I've not had any approaches but I would love to play in the IPL," Kieswetter said.

"Being in a dressing room with six or seven world-class players would be a great opportunity. I'll definitely put myself forward into the auction to see if there is any interest."

Kieswetter made 32 in England's six wicket won over Bangladesh in the first of three one-dayers at Trent Bridge on Thursday.

But the match was overshadowed by an injury to Bangladesh wicketkeeper Mushfiqur Rahim, who was hit full in the face by a ball from spinner Faisal Hossain and subsequently ruled out of the rest of the series.

"I can feel for him," Kieswetter said. "With that kind of turn and bounce, it hits you harder than you think and the height he is at made a difference. That might have hit me on the shoulder or chest but he got it in the eye."