Craig Kieswetter knows he is bound to be a ‘hit-and-miss’ weapon for England at the top of the order.
The nature of Kieswetter’s aggressive limited-overs brief means that, more than most, he has signed up to an agreement that he will often have to play fast and loose with his wicket.
Three half-centuries in nine attempts since his return to England colours this summer – including the one rattled up in only 41 balls at The Oval on Friday, to give England breathing space in an awkward run chase against India – is a handy ratio then.
Kieswetter also put England on the way to victory at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday, and can point to a degree of consistency to go with his career strike rate in excess of 91 runs per hundred balls.
He knows nonetheless, of course, that his method means leaner times will be inevitable too.
«There will always be work, and the type of role I have to play will come off sometimes – and sometimes it won’t,» he said.
«I guess I will have to have a thick skin, but what is most important for me is to do my role and give the team my best.»
Kieswetter’s statistics are beginning to point to a quick-fix productivity that has appeared to prove beyond several others, including England’s admirable Test wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior.
As he and England bid to wrap up the NatWest Series at Lord’s on Sunday – they are already 2-0 up with two to play – he will be out to cash in again while the going is so good.
«It is always good to get scores back to back – you get a lot of momentum and a lot of confidence from that.
«So at Lord’s, try again.»
Should England make it 3-0 at HQ, they will be just one more win away from inflicting a whitewash in all three formats on an India team who arrived in this country two months ago as Test and ODI world-beaters.
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