Kieswetter’s flair leaves Flower in dilemma over Prior as first-choice wicketkeeper
By ANIFriday, February 26, 2010
London, Feb 26 (ANI): England coach Andy Flower has refused to back Matt Prior as his first-choice wicketkeeper for the team.
Prior, who played as a specialist batsman, top scored with 64 not out as England beat a Bangladesh Cricket Board XI by seven wickets in their final warm-up before Sunday’s first one-dayer against their hosts.
Flower said: “It was an opportunity to look at Craig Kieswetter. He kept nicely. He looks a natural catcher. He’s a wicketkeeping batsman, so it is an option.”
The decision is clearly not an easy one. Prior has been instrumental to the success of the Test side and played a key role in winning the Ashes last summer, The Sun reports.
However, his one-day form has been less impressive. Prior averages 24.24 in one-dayers and 21.16 in Twenty20 internationals.
Kieswetter is brimming with confidence and has shown the kind of clean hitting at the top of the order England have not seen since Marcus Trescothick retired.
His 143 on Tuesday was not chanceless but it was the kind of innings that sets him apart from his rival in the shorter forms of the game.
Prior’s top score for England in one-dayers is 87. (ANI)
