CRAIG Kieswetter is ready to deal with the ‘‘hot air’’ if South Africa decide it is time to remind him of his roots when he walks out to open for England against his native country today.

England’s latest South Africa-born recruit has quickly become a lynchpin of their ICC World Twenty20 gameplan, as one half of their ‘power-hitting’ opening pair and wicketkeeper too.

The 22-year-old reports there was no chatter from the South Africans during England’s warm-up fixture against them last week.

But the stakes will be raised when both teams return to Kensington Oval, eager to continue their successful Super Eight campaigns.

England easily beat Pakistan on Thursday, and South Africa followed suit against New Zealand in Group E – and the prize for the winners today is the probability of a semi-final place.

Kieswetter, however, will be fazed by neither the occasion nor the opponents.

‘‘I’ve played against a lot of opposition where there is a lot of chatter,’’ he said.

‘‘It’s usually just hot air, so I will just try to focus on my role.’’ England beat South Africa by five wickets in their warmup match at the same venue.

There were no pointed remarks then aimed at either Kieswetter or his fellow South Africa-born opener Michael Lumb.

The wicketkeeper-batsman acknowledges it may be different this time, but insists it will not put him off.

‘‘There is a lot riding on tomorrow, another Super Eight game. There is bound to be hype around me for this game. But I have to try to focus on my job in the side.

‘‘It’s not really an issue for me. It is another game for England, and one I’m excited about and determined to do my role as well as I can.’’ Kieswetter goes into the match on the back of a series of handy but not entirely substantial innings, and is naturally hoping he can convert a start into a major contribution on the big stage.