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MATTHEW PRIOR
and fellow young cricketers have returned with the Sussex County
Cricket Club to Grenada, West Indies.
- Last year this site followed Matthew
in his quest - as a rookee professional - to play in the Sussex
CCC one day side
- He more than achieved his initial ambition by becoming a
regular in the Sussex CCC first team - playing the majority of
games in the national league
- However towards the end of the season 2001 Tim
Ambrose - signed from Eastbourne CC, Sussex but an Australian
national made his mark in the one day side. He had the good fortune
to make a good score in front of the television cameras.
- In the same month a compatriot of Matthew - Carl
Hopkinson - set the members buzzing by taking 4 excellent
catches in one innings - again in front of the cameras.
- Matthew stayed at Hove
during the winter working hard on his keeping and also, and very
importantly, on his batting.
- Word has it that his batting has come along well in the nets.
- It was therefore with interest that one waited for the early
reports of the County matches in Grenada.
- Up against a limited Yorkshire side Sussex have beaten them
3 times and also beat the local islanders.
- Matthew has had a top
score so far of 88 not out. An innings which showed a variety
of well executed shots.
- Other young Sussex cricketers have also made their mark.
- Michael Yardy - a year
older than Matthew - has to date taken 3 for 43; 2 for 19; and
4 for 10 off 6 overs.
- Carl Hopkinson has taken
2 for 33
- Paul Havell - the old
man of the group - has recorded 3 for 15
- Dominic Clapp - who played
alongside Michael Yardy in the South of England side - made 21
- Yorkshire took a mere 14 players
on tour whereas Sussex have taken
their entire squad. Last year it proved to be an invaluable experience
for Matthew - let us hope it is also the making of our other
youngsters.
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