Full Name: Matthew James Prior
DOB: 26-02-1982, Johannesburg, South Africa
Specialist: Wicket Keeper
Bats: Right Hand Bat
Bowls: Right Arm Medium Seam
Major Teams: England, England A, Sussex


One of a handful of wicketkeepers tried by England in their quest for a long-term replacement for Alec Stewart, Matt Prior has always relied on his batting as his main attribute. He was in the England One Day set-up as a specialist batsman before receiving his Test debut in May 2007 against West Indies at Lord's and a ton in that match - the first English keeper to score a debut century - suggested the troublesome position had been filled.

However, Prior's batting faded later in the summer against India and a succession of costly mistakes behind the stumps saw him axed after 10 Tests, despite the recovery of his batting form in Sri Lanka in December 2007.

Prior started the 2008 county season in sizzling batting form and the torrid time experienced by England replacement Tim Ambrose saw him recalled to the national squad for all formats by the end of the season. He has now cemented his place in the lower-middle order in both the Test and ODI teams, but he needs to harness an attacking instinct that results in too many loose dismissals and maintain improved glovework that will always be under scrutiny.

Batting Mat Ins NO Runs Hs Ave S/R 100's 50's 6's 4's
Career 28 46 8 1491 131* 39.24 63.26 2 12 6 176
Series 1 2 1 7 7 7.00 38.89 0 0 0 1
Batting Key: Mat = Matches, Ins = Innings, NO = Not Outs, HS = Highest Score, Ave = Average Score, S/R = Strike Rate, 100s = Centuries, 50s = Fifties, 6s = Sixes, 4s = Fours
Bowling Mat Balls Run Wkts Ave. 5wkts
Career 28 0 0 0 0 0
Seies 1 0 0 0 0 0
Bowling Key: Mat = Matches, Balls = Balls Bowled, Runs = Runs Conceded, Wkts = Wickets Taken, Ave = Average, 5wkts = Five-wicket Hauls, Econ = Bowling Economy