Prior’s glad he’s back to where he once belonged
ENGLAND wicketkeeper Matt Prior admits he’s relieved that his ordeal at the top of the batting order has come to an end.
After being recalled to the side following a two-year absence, Prior was reinstalled as an opener at the expense of Jonathan Davies for the one-day series in Australia.
Prior (right) failed to fire, however, forcing England into taking a late gamble ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup opener against the Netherlands in Nagpur.
Kevin Pietersen has been promoted and will now partner Andrew Strauss, while Prior has been demoted to No6, a role he thrives in for the Test side.
“The thing I’m excited about is the mentality going into it and the way I’ve been asked to play,” Prior said.
“I’ve always thought opening suited my game better, but having looked at it over here and this role I’m going to play in the middle overs, I think the way the last couple of games have gone, I’ve found a tempo I’m very comfortable with.
“I don’t think as an opener I managed to get that tempo ever, which was hugely frustrating for me, because I know that if I get that tempo right, I can be very, very successful.
“Right now, that role is suiting me and I feel very comfortable in it. I feel I can have, fingers crossed, some good success.”
Meanwhile, Graeme Swann joined up with the England squad last night.
Swann was given an extended break due to the birth of his first child last week and is expected to play in Nagpur, having recovered from knee and back injuries which hampered him at the end of the Australian tour.