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England wicket-keeper Matt Prior has set his sights on scoring another century against West Indies. Prior made a stunning start to his Test career by hitting an unbeaten 126 on debut in the draw at Lord’s and added a half-century in the win at Headingley.

The 25-year-old will get his next chance in the third Test, which starts here at Old Trafford on Thursday, where England will seek to clinch the series. “I feel determined to get another hundred in this series,” he said.

Prior will go into the third Test in good form after scoring a belligerent 76 for Sussex in their Friends Provident Trophy defeat against Kent on Sunday. And he says having a Test century to his name has boosted his confidence. “It’s different gravy now. I feel good every time I walk out there,” he admitted.

South Africa all-rounder Andrew Hall, who scored a match-winning century for Kent, backed Prior to become England’s One-day International (ODI) wicket-keeper. Paul Nixon did well for England during the World Cup and would seem to be the man in possession, but Prior’s form could persuade the selectors to make a change.

“He’s a very aggressive batsman who’s been scoring runs at a good pace — and he looks in great form,” said Hall. “I see no reasons why the selectors won’t go and back him for the one-dayers as well. He’s a youngster with years ahead of him,” he explained.

“I know at one stage the guys were saying that Nixon might be too old before the World Cup. Not taking anything away from him — he played exceptionally well — but looking at the way Matt’s playing, my decision would be to go with him,” he added.

England team for third Test: Michael Vaughan (captain), Alastair Cook, Andrew Strauss, Kevin Pietersen, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell, Matt Prior (wicket-keeper), Liam Plunkett, Steve Harmison, Ryan Sidebottom, Monty Panesar.
Source:The News

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