http://www.senore.com/Cricket/MJ-Prior-c1984 for England - The Prior Factor – Part 2 - Opinion
A tally of 161 catches in 57 Tests is an impressive effort to say the least, yet these stats tend to become more significant if one is to consider the fact that Prior has had to keep wickets to an attack as diverse as England’s. Prior’s partnership with
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/GP-Swann-c1501 in Test cricket for example, is prolific in light of the fact that most of Swann’s dismissals have been instigated by Prior’s snappy catching and prompt stumpings. Vociferous appealing by Prior also goes to his credit.
In light of these attributes, it is perhaps damning that a player such as Prior, does not have a score of 150 to his name in the 5-day game. His orthodox technique and penchant for driving square of the wicket has delighted cricket fans from the classical
school of thought, who consider modern-day batsmanship to border on the preposterous. Yet the best part about Prior and much to the delight of http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013 in recent times, is that the opposition(s) have always considered Prior’s presence at the crease to be of
constant annoyance. The fact that he bats at 7 or 8 in the order, ensures that some sort of respectability returns to the scoreboard after a rare top order collapse. Prior’s numerous match winning accolades have come in times when England were in dire straits
and his series against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 in the UK was a prime example of how he has managed to rescue his team from various precarious situations. Prior notched up 271 Runs at an average of 67.75 in that series.
In the Investec Series of 2012, Prior was a big match player for his side. The Third and final Test match, at Lord's, brought into the limelight a man who never says ‘die’.
Dislodging Prior has thus, become a necessity for oppositions who confront England. His role as an indispensable player has never really waned away as compared to his predecessors such as Geraint http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Jones-c69217 and Chris Read. Getting Prior out would mean that the
English tail, which is equally competent, could be exposed early on, yet his presence is almost bound to leak runs in England’s favour. Behind the stumps his classy glove work cannot be bypassed, and it is safe to say that one of the reasons why England is
considered as the best Test team in the world is because they have a competent player down the order.
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