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• Headlines Daily Telegraph August 6th 2001 " Sussex fume over Prior engagement"
• It appears that David Gilbert, Chief Executive was annoyed that Matthew had been selected for 2 Under 19 Tests - not one as he had originally thought.
• The Telegraph quoted David as saying " It is nonsense that we see Under 19 cricket taking precedence over County cricket. We felt an England Under 19 match would be a good change of environment for a week.......... we want him back Under 19 cricket is about producing first class cricketers ... not dragging them back from a higher level"
• Telegraph August 7th Tim Boon, England coach " We always consult with a County . That's exactly what we've done in this case, talking to Peter Moores. Matt, at the moment has been selected just for this game."
• Brendan Gallagher, Daily Telegraph journalist writes " There is little evidence that county cricket is currently a better training ground for England's next generation. At least in Under 19 Tests young hopefuls will be batting higher up the order.....
• Whilst I do believe that the County Club has given Matthew a good start to his professional career I have to pose the question - "Why did the Club agree to Matthew playing any England Under 19 match in the first place"?
• Matthew skippered the England Under 17 side as a high order batsman / wicket keeper
• During the winter of 2000/2001 he was only chosen as a reserve for the England Under 19 winter tour.
• Although I did not report it at the time he expressed disappointment at not being selected and appeared to have been given no reason by the selectors.
• He spent his winter in the Sussex nets and was selected to play for the Sussex CCC first team in both 4 day and one day games.
• I felt that the County would look at his progress in early July 2001 and consider whether he needed a break and allow Nicholas Wilton to keep for the first team.
• That did not appear to happen and the County went on record as saying that in the forthcoming game v Australia the full first team would be playing
• Then suddenly Matthew is selected for the England side.
• This should be a major honour for any player
• The problem is that playing cricket for the England Under 19 side does not seem to lead anywhere for the vast majority of players selected.
• It does often lead to a spot in a County side - e.g. Robin Martin-Jenkins played for at least 2 different England Under 19 sides in 1995 but has not been selected for any England activity since .
• Has an opportunity been taken by the County to rest Matthew as he has not been making runs and his keeping may not be as good as first thought ?
• Are the County now worried that Nicholas may not keep and bat very well against Australia and need the freedom to re-select Matthew for the 4 day match v Derbyshire.
• Is Matthew really gaining anything playing for England Under 19 and batting at number 7 - so much for the experience of batting up the order expressed by the Telegraph reporter
• My answer would have been for Sussex to send Andrew Hodd- the England Under 17 keeper - to keep for England Under 19 side - he would not have looked out of place.
• Despite everything I am pleased to see that Matthew is letting his bat do the talking and hopefully leaving the controversy back in the pavilion.
• At close of play on the 2nd day Matthew Prior is 56 not out - having walked out to bat when the score was 78 for 5.
• West Indies 278 England 207 for 7.
• It seems to be a good thing for England that Matthew was selected for the side.
• In the year 2001 M.PRIOR top scored for England Under 19 in the First Test v West Indies - watch this space.......
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