Kieswetter added to England one-day squad

Craig Kieswetter has been called up to England's one-day squad for the tour of Bangladesh, following his impressive performances for the England Lions in Dubai, including a matchwinning 81 in their victory over the senior England team on Wednesday evening.

The news was confirmed via a press release from the Bangladesh Cricket Board, outlining the details of England's arrival. The name of Kieswetter was included at the bottom of a 16-man squad, and a Bangladesh spokesman told Cricinfo that his name had been sent through from the ECB on Saturday morning.

"I've worked very hard over the course of the winter as part of the England Performance Programme (EPP) and have been especially pleased with my recent form on the England Lions tour to the UAE," said Kieswetter. "I'm delighted to have been called into the one-day squad and am excited about the opportunity to tour Bangladesh with the England team."

England's national selector, Geoff Miller, added: "Craig has impressed both the EPP and national coaches with his attitude, glovework and hard-hitting batting during the course of his time with the England Performance Programme."

Kieswetter, 22, only completed his England qualification the day before the Lions match in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, having been born in Johannesburg. However, like Kevin Pietersen before him, who was not initially selected for the one-day series in South Africa in January 2005 during which he racked up three centuries in five innings, the extent of his talents have demanded his belated inclusion.

"The way he played against us, and the way he played for the Lions against Pakistan A, he's opened everyone's eyes and he deserves inclusion into the squads.," said Paul Collingwood, England's Twenty20 captain. "He's an exciting player and he hits the ball extremely hard, which is great for one-day and Twenty20 cricket. He deserves his chance"

Although the tour of Bangladesh doesn't include any Twenty20 matches this decision shows Kieswetter is clearly on the selectors' radar for the World Twenty20 in West Indies, while his presence in the 50-over squad will put pressure on Matt Prior who has yet to cement his position in the same way as his Test spot.