Matt Prior

[flanflinger]

He seems to be having a very good A tour, is 23 years old. Is he making a serious case for the Wicket-Keeper Batsman role?

Does anyone else think he could end up replacing Jones before the end of the year?

http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/NEW/LIVE/f...16MAR2005.html

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

In a word no. Not because Prior hasnt got the talent, more like Jones has the box seat and the management like him. On top of that, its a little unfair to unprepere him for tests by letting him face bangladesh then suddenly he's up to the aussies. If he goes in, and assuming JOnes gets or worse or no better, the next tour might be better. How good is his glovework anyway ???

[Rachael]

This morning's Telegraph suggested (onn the basis of the first innings) only Bell and Shah give the impression of genuine class.. but as Prior was out near enough first ball that's not much of a guide. This innings the roles are reversed: Bell and Shah out before they were in and Prior anchoring the innings - will be interesting to hear what sort of innings it was.

I'd not bet against Prior for next winter.. but let's not forget that Marsh has tipped him as a specialist bat and top outfielder. Bit tougher for him now that Strauss has grabbed a spot and Bell / Pietersen are clamoring for another.. but perhaps he's the ODI opener that's been needed....

Then again.. ODI 'keeper might be more appropriate: Tresco, Prior (+), Vaughan, Strauss, Pietersen, Flintoff, Collingwood hs a decent look to it.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

How good is his glovework anyway ???

Don't know how much that matters. But he can certainly score the runs! I reckon that before the end of the summer he'll be there as number two keeper.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Well he's just scored a ton, with able support from Swann, and could conceivably guide england to a very unlikely win.

[Notts Exile]

Originally Posted by Richie Benauds Love Child

Well he's just scored a ton, with able support from Swann, and could conceivably guide england to a very unlikely win.

Unfortunately none of the others managed to support Prior once Swann perished. What a good effort from Swann, Prior and Alastair Cook - who steadied a sinking ship with Prior.

Wonder what the purpose of Rikki Clarke is ?

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

Obviously as he opened the bowling Rikki Clarke is being groomed as the first change bowler for the full england test team. Watch out freddie. He plays it cool to start with then - BANG !! 1-34. Awesome.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Guardian

Rikki Clarke thought he had caught Kalivitigoda off Swann at leg-slip, on 74, only for the umpires to judge it a half-volley catch, a decision supported by video footage. It became a bit heated as Clarke pressed the umpires for an explanation but the match referee, Basil Perera, looked benignly upon it all.

I bet Scott Newman and Will Jefferson are gutted to miss out over this guy.

[Richie Benauds Love Child]

I'M gutted to be missing out over this guy !

[Zainub]

I don't know about Prior, I'm not sure, perhaps I'm starting to develope something of a small soft spot for POOR, OLD Chris Read, if Prior gets selected ahead of him (in the Ashes) I'd be wondering what Read has done wrong all this while. It is ok if England want to give Jones another chance, I'm fine with that, but when they're done testing him out, Read should automatically be the next man in. He was asked to go and work on his batting, he's done that with the Notts, so now by simple common sense he should be the next man. Others need to wait longer. Because Read has been waiting for longer for his chance then most. Until now I've tried hard to be seen as neutral on this great wicket keeping debate but if Prior is selected ahead of Read I'd find it very hard to not shift to the staunch pro Read club

Originally Posted by some J at the beeb

I think it's essential that Swann and Prior are brought in for Giles and Jones for the Ashes
From Bill J (!!!!!)

Essential? Dropping Giles is essential? Essential my foot! I'll tell you what's ESSENTIAL. Its essential that Giles plays if England is to have a decent chance of winning the Ashes ... 'cause if you bring in a young and inexperienced spinner Swann or who ever against the Aussies and they'll murder him ... (mark my words, they will murder him) you'll probably end his career for good they'll give him that bad a spanking...(and please excuse the pessimism, but I've seen it happen to many times)

... at least with Giles you'll be assured he'll do a decent if not spectacular job, he'll be reliable, at least if nothing more....If England are droping Giles for the Ashes, then that's it for me, I'd not be supporting England then, and since I can't possibly suport Aus, I'd boycott the Ashes over all

Yours utterly sentimental,
Zainub