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Matt Prior — drawing comparisons with the great Allan Knott

For some, Matt Prior used to be harder to warm to than an iceberg in the shape of Jimmy Savile. Perceived as brash and mouthy, the once fumbling ’keeper came close to being regarded as almost a proxy Kevin Pietersen, a South African import whose mucky aggression simply wasn't on within the gentler confines of the English game.

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Matt Prior — drawing comparisons with the great Allan Knott

England’s saviors… Matt Prior (left) and Monty Panesar return to the pavilion after denying New Zealand the last England second innings wicket to save the Auckland Test on March 26 © Getty Images

By James Marsh

For some, Matt Prior used to be harder to warm to than an iceberg in the shape of Jimmy Savile. Perceived as brash and mouthy, the once fumbling ’keeper came close to being regarded as almost a proxy Kevin Pietersen, a South African import whose mucky aggression simply wasn’t on within the gentler confines of the English game. His constant twangy chuntering behind the stumps grated and, when his pregnant wife Emily was caught on the big screen bouncing on the knee of Allen Stanford during the Super Sixes in 2008, the sight was greeted with sniggering delight in many quarters, a sort of deserved comeuppance for her husband’s too sparky and unjustified on-field confidence. 
 
This was always a jaundiced, uncharitable view of England’s Third Test saviour, but regardless, Prior has now undoubtedly emerged as not only an exceptional wicketkeeper-batsman, but an outstanding individual within the England side. Other players split into factions during the Pietersen text scandal faster than Indian fans discussing Sachin Tendulkar’s retirement, but Prior instead acted as intermediary, picking up his own phone and calling Pietersen to find out the root of the discontent. His attempts at diplomacy were as commendable yet futile as his brilliant second innings 73 in the subsequent match at Lord’s. But amid all the media leaks and parody accounts, it was a simple and impressive gesture that offered a previously not fully appreciated side to his character.

When further Indian Premier League (IPL) grumbles bubbled up earlier this year, Angus Porter, the chief executive of the Professional Cricketers Association, attracted much derision by claiming England players were “substantially underpaid” given their restricted participation in franchise T20 tournaments. Against a backdrop of press and fan cynicism, Prior, now in the guise of trade union rep rather than diplomat, was the one who fronted up for interview, speaking of the “frustration” in the side and making the oft-heard but valid point that the IPL and its derivatives are not going away and that England had players who wanted to play in them (though ironically he went unsold at the latest auction). Despite hinting heavily that the ECB should consider rescheduling the early season Tests which clash with the IPL, he sounded reasoned rather than money-grubbing or shifty, something those defending a desire to shack up with a franchise haven’t always managed. Whether or not people agreed with him, he had again popped his head above the parapet in the interests of more than a few of his team mates, who clearly shared his sentiments but not his willingness to speak up. 
 
Even after his astonishingly-breezy 110 not out to save the Auckland Test, Prior was keen to praise others’ efforts over his own, singling out Monty Panesar and, in particular, Stuart Broad‘s innings and noting the work his much-maligned team-mate had done in the nets which had enabled him to bat for 137 minutes to make a 77-ball six. Prior has little to be modest about, however, in light of his own record. In twenty series for England he has averaged below 30 on just four occasions and his relentless dedication to improving his keeping has been rewarded with comparisons to Alan Knott, a rare achievement for any glovesman. He actually rates his favourite catch as one which wasn’t — a leg side diving take of Shane Watson not given during the 2010-11 Ashes — because it was a technique he’d practised thousands of times with coach Bruce French in the hope of making it count once in a match. For all his genius qualities, it’s difficult to imagine Mahendra Singh Dhoni undertaking such a regime. 
 
Twitter has been engaging in a game of Prior versus AB de Villiers top trumps. Choosing a winner is probably neither necessary or possible, suffice to say that the Sussex stopper has performed consistently well over 65 matches as a Test keeper compared to the fourteen in which de Villiers has had the gloves (albeit, in which, he has been outstanding). Prior himself has been tweeting about his run of poor form when playing credit card roulette to see who pays for dinner on tour, not a way of footing a bill perhaps the average fan can empathise with but harmless enough fun for the professional sportsman. He’s lost nine out of the last 10, which one imagines has put a substantial dent in his IPL wages lacking wallet, but he shouldn’t be too worried. After his efforts at Eden Park — the culmination of an astounding winter — Matt Prior should really never have to buy a drink for himself again.

(James Marsh is a TEFL teacher based in the Czech Republic, although his real occupation is alienating those close to him by wallowing on statsguru. He blogs on cricket at Pavilion Opinions and can be found on Twitter at @PavilionOpinion)

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