SOMERSET'S Craig Kieswetter marked his first full day as an England qualified player by smashing 81 runs as the England Lions pulled off a shock win over their senior colleagues in Abu Dhabi yesterday.

The South Africa-born wicketkeeper enjoyed a boundary-filled knock as the Lions won off the final ball of the entertaining Twenty20 international, which further enhanced his chances of a call up to the England squad.

That was nearly double what England top-scorer Luke Wright (42no) managed in their first innings 157 for six as the Lions won by five wickets.

It could all have been much different, though, had Stuart Broad not misjudged a seemingly straightforward catch at mid-off when Kieswetter had just four to his name.

However, he was keen to absolve a man who may become an international team-mate sooner rather than later.

"Obviously I had quite a nice chance being dropped early on," said Kieswetter. "But the sky actually plays quite a big factor here. In training we have struggled to take those high catches."

Asked where he had developed the muscular style he used to hit nine fours and two sixes at the Zayed Cricket Stadium, Kieswetter said: "I played field hockey when I was younger and that probably comes into the technique a bit.

"Usually I just swing from the hip as hard as I can. I like to think I can hit the ball hard but I don't like to see myself as a slogger.

"In other forms of the game, like 50 overs, I'd like to think I can bat through and help win games.

"You have to weigh up a brand new ball against the field restrictions but I quite like the fact that there are only two men out (of the ring) in the first six overs."

Kieswetter's claims or an England call-up have been endorsed by his county captain Marcus Trescothick, who compared the big hitter to another South African-born player making his name for England.

"For me the way that he batted today against the full England side will be the final straw and will take him to that next stage of his career and I would pick him straight away now," Trescothick said.

"I think that he is a fantastic player and I can remember standing at the other end in one game as he scored 80 odd off 40 balls thinking to myself that it was like watching Kevin Pietersen all over again.

"When players really stand out that much its quite amazing to see how they develop. It has always been there with him but over the last couple of years or so he has learned how to channel it.

"Craig's innings and the form he displayed will have made a massive impact on the England set up and he will now have all the captains and coaches watching him."

Kieswetter's innings was the standout performance from a Lions side that impressed from the off.

Also on song was another South Africa-born opener, Michael Lumb, who won the game with the required four off Luke Wright's final delivery to close on 58no.