Craig Kieswetter

England wicketkeeper Craig Kieswetter has backed Kevin Pietersen to rediscover his batting touch while opening the batting for the one-day side.

Pietersen has been promoted to the top of the ODI order - at the expense of Kieswetter - by coach Andy Flower, as he attempts to find some form after a difficult Test series against Pakistan that saw him make a top score of just 32 from six innings.

Kieswetter believes the move will prove just the tonic for the 31-year-old.

"Kevin is a fantastic cricketer," Kieswetter said. "The more opportunity we give him to bat for a long time and face a lot of balls, the better.

"We're hoping he can play like the old KP and set up platforms for the side to build great scores."

Kieswetter has dropped to No. 5 in the order to accommodate his friend, but realises the team must always come first and will do his best to deal with the different pressures he will now face.

"I'll bat wherever England want me," he said. "The middle order is obviously a different role and it's a new challenge being asked to manipulate the spinners - but the point of a team game is to be adaptable."


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