Flower compares ‘under pressure’ Kieswetter to Gilchrist

London, July 14(ANI): England coach Andy Flower has optimistically rated wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter alongside Australian legend Adam Gilchrist, despite a recent run of low scores in ODIs.

“I don’t really use the word pinch-hitter myself, but he’s an aggressive opening batsman for us, pretty much in the mould of (Sanath) Jayasuriya or Gilchrist,” The Fox Sports quoted Flower, as saying.

In recent three-match ODI series against Bangladesh, Kieswetter was dismissed for 32, 20 and 0, but Flower said that he intends to keep faith with the youngster.

“He’s had an interesting time of it recently, scoring a hundred in his third ODI, getting man of the match in the World T20 final, being a World Cup winner. A lot of English players haven’t had that, so he’s up there doing that and achieving things, but then he’s had a bit of a hard one-day series,” Flower said.

“I think international cricket can do that to you. It can teach you some lessons and perhaps expose a few doubts. I think in the long run for Craig it might be a very healthy thing to have happened, in that by the time he plays for England again, he’ll need to make his package stronger,” he added.

Flower’s comments come as Kieswetter’s place is under scrutiny because Test keeper Matt Prior has been in magnificent batting form for Sussex in the Friends Provident T20. (ANI)