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Kieswetter keen on county return

Image: Craig Kieswetter: Looking forward to facing England colleagues

Craig Kieswetter is relishing his return to Somerset after England's first ODI against South Africa was washed out.

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Finals day will be fun says Somerset keeper

Craig Kieswetter is relishing his return to Somerset after England's first one-day international against South Africa was washed out. Persistent rain in Cardiff meant there never seemed a realistic chance of a completed match at the SWALEC Stadium. In the end play was abandoned with the hosts on 37-0 after less than half an hour's play and just 5.3 overs bolwed. Saturday's Friends Life t20 finals day takes place at the same ground and, dependant on the weather, Kieswetter, Tim Bresnan and Jonny Bairstow all have the chance to get some important limited overs practice before Tuesday's second ODI at Hampshire's Ageas Bowl. Yorkshire duo Bairstow and Bresnan will line up in the first semi-final against Sussex after the England and Wales Cricket Board made a late decision to clear the latter for duty. Kieswetter and his Somerset team-mates will then take on Hampshire for a place in the final.

Elephant

The Cidermen have finished as runners-up in the competition for the last three seasons and Kieswetter is eager to play his part in going one better. "The idea is to win," said the wicketkeeper. "It's gone past the stage of being bridesmaids for us. It's not so much an elephant in the room as just another finals day. "We don't care how it happens for us, the most important thing is to get into the final. If we win by one run or a super-over or 10 wickets... a win is a win and that's what important. "Finals day is probably the closest to an international fixture that the county guys get, it gets a lot of coverage and a lot of people watching. It's going to be exciting." Ian Bell was the only player to take anything out of Friday's washout, clubbing two huge sixes and two fours on his way to 26 not out from 18 balls. And Kieswetter is hoping to channel his international team-mate's aggression should he get the chance tomorrow.
Intriguing
"Hopefully we can all bat like Belly," he added. "If I can do that tomorrow it would be quite fun. Ian said it was a good wicket and a pretty quick outfield." There are a number of England internationals, past and present, on duty at finals day, with the intriguing prospect of Kieswetter, Bresnan and Bairstow meeting in the finale if their sides progress. There are several other possible match-ups, with World Twenty20 squad members Luke Wright and Jos Buttler also involved and Marcus Trescothick and Ryan Sidebottom, both retired from England duty, also looking to impress. "It's going to be a lot of fun to go up against all the England lads," Kieswetter added. "If we do go against each other it'll be good. "And we've got the likes of Siddy and Bres here too, and Tres and Jos. There's a few England players in and around." A reserve day is in place on Sunday should rain ruin tomorrow's action, with Kieswetter and Bairstow available for that and a decision pending on Bresnan.

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