HOME          MATTHEW PRIOR

• On the Sussex Sharks ( see Link page) message board a poll is being conducted in respect of the wicket keeping position for Sussex CCC
• Last week I wrote on the Board
• Had a long look at Matthew in the nets today. All the time he is in good nick he will be the keeper in 4 day
  games. I base my statement on the evidence of his batting. Luckily he is in the 2nd X1 for his next game and if, given the chance to bat up the order, he should concentrate on a long occupancy at the crease and keep the scoreboard ticking over. We always thought that he would be a top order bat.
  
• Yesterday he did exactly that - 122 not out v Middlesex 2nd X1.
  
• Matthew chose to stay in Sussex during the winter and to concentrate upon his keeping under the guidance of Peter Moores , County Coach ex- Sussex CCC keeper, and his batting under the guidance of Les Lenham, ex-Sussex CCC opening bat.
• His decision was most certainly the correct one.
• To date this season he has been selected as keeper and number 7 bat for the Sussex CCC in the four days game.
• He lost his place to Tim Ambrose in the one day side.
• Tim is being selected to open the batting and to keep.
• His selection allows Murray Goodwin to bat down the order at number 4 - a position which, we are advised, he prefers.
• It may be considered that Matthew's positionin comparison to Tim is the stronger.
• His keeping continues to improve and, he has the ability and is gaining the experience to make large scores with the bat.
• Tim hopefully will continue to do well but he is more in the limelight of success and failure as an opening bat in the shorter game.
• We will watch developments as the season unfolds.
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