Friday, 3 June 2011

Matt Prior

Matt Prior Biography
Among the various players bidding for England’s problematic slot behind the wickets, Matt Prior’s emergence as the leading contender can be credited more to his batting prowess than, paradoxically, his wicket-keeping.
Following Geraint Jones’ unreliable batting ability, the need for an accomplished wicket-keeper batsman transferred three-time Denis Compton award-winner Matt Prior from his county Essex to the main England fold. At Essex, he often shuffled wicket-keeping gloves with Tim Ambrose. Once established ahead of Ambrose, Prior soon joined the England Test squad that welcomed the touring West Indies in 2007. He had made his ODI debut three years ago, as an opening batsman against Zimbabwe.
That debut against the Windies at Lord’s resulted in a century that led to an impactful start to reclaim his spot to tour India. Despite formidable batting, his poor wicket-keeping was exposed in the sub-continent. Following an assortment of drop-catches coupled with hesitant work behind the stumps, Prior lost his spot to his Essex colleague Tim Ambrose. Yet, the latter couldn’t capitalize on a promising start and poor batting form soon paved way for Prior’s return. Improvements rapidly became evident, signalled by a record number of catches against South Africa at Trent Bridge in 2008.By the 2009 Ashes, first-choice Prior received few wicket-keeping complains. Crucial half centuries helped England to a 2-1 series win and an eventual retention of the Ashes. Later, in the 2010-11 Ashes, he went on to claim 23 catches in the series and ended on a high note as he scored his maiden Test ton against the Aussies, at Sydney.

Fast Facts

Matt Prior is the first English wicket-keeper to score a century on Test debut.
His six catches in England’s 2nd ODI against South Africa in 2008 is joint top performance for an Englishman in a single match, alongside Alec Stewart.
Prior received the NBC Denis Compton Award for three consecutive years (2001-03) and was also one of the Five Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2010.
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Matt Prior Cheating HD
Matt Prior Stumped By Mushfiqur Rahim

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