Matt Prior backs Kevin Pietersen’s role as an opener: ICC World Cup 2011
England’s wicketkeeper batsman Matt prior has backed the decision of his team to start the innings with star batsman Kevin Pietersen during the ICC World Cup 2011.
The flamboyant batsman has opened in both the warm-up matches England have played and will do the same in their first official World Cup match against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Netherlands-c753 on 22 February, 2011.
Prior stated, “If he just plays the way he can for 30 or 40 overs, he's going to have a big score - and we're going to have an even bigger score. I think it's an exciting and positive move and one that should work very well for us.”
The wicketkeeper batsman used to open the innings for his team, but he will now be given a new role to play at number six. He was confident of doing well at his newly assigned position and said that it does not matter to him whether where he bats.
Spinners will be the key during the ICC World Cup 2011 and Prior claimed that he was prepared to play spin bowling. He further added that he toured http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 and Pakistan at the start of his career in 2005-06 and had good memories from those tours.
England did not have Prior in their initial World Cup plans, but the veteran cricketer was included in the final squad which surprised everyone. He was given preference over youngster Steve Davies who was relatively less experienced.
However, Prior failed to score runs consistently at the top of the order which forced England to demote him to the lower middle-order.
This move may also have been considered following the exit of Eoin Morgan from the mega event. Morgan batted in the lower middle-order and accelerated the run rate for his team in the death overs. Same will be expected from Prior when he comes out to play
at his new position.
The Poms had won both their warm-up games against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Canada-c748 and will be looking forward to a strong World Cup performance ahead. England have reached the final of the mega event thrice, but could never win it.
However, they are in a better shape compared to the past and are strong contenders of the coveted trophy in 2011.
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