SOMERSET’S Craig Kieswetter and Pete Trego have both received boosts in their bid for England selection.

Craig Kieswetter has been named in the England Performance Programme squad.

The 21-year-old wicketkeeper-batsman has been named as a ‘category B’ squad member, designed for players with first-class experience who could graduate to the senior side with one to three years’ development.

Kieswetter will spend the next two months training at the national academy in Loughborough and South Africa’s High Performance Centre in Pretoria.

South African-born Kieswetter, who qualifies to play for England in February, enjoyed his most successful season in 2009 ending with 1,242 Championship runs at an average of 59.

All-rounder Trego believes he has boosted his chances of further England honours after an impressive performance at the Hong Kong Sixes in Kowloon at the weekend.

The 28-year-old was the leading run-scorer with 184 from six matches and also hit the tournament record score of 65 not out, although England were knocked out in the cup phase.

He said: “It was a fantastic experience for me out in Hong Kong and to get the chance to spend the week with Geoff Miller, England’s chairman of selectors, who will hopefully help me to further my career.

“It was a proud moment to pull on an England shirt for the first time since playing for the U-19s ten years ago and to have performed the way that I did was a real bonus.

“I’m hoping to be selected for the England Lions or the tour to Bangladesh in the spring, but obviously that wasn’t talked about.

“But, I have definitely put my name in the hat and that is all I can do.

“One of the most positive things that has come out of the week for me is Geoff Miller wants me to go and play cricket somewhere this winter and he is trying to find me a place somewhere in the world and as soon as possible.

“Now I am just waiting for that phone call and hoping Geoff Miller will come up trumps for me.”