Prior confident despite batting conundrum

Pa
Friday 14 August 2009 05:40 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Wicketkeeper Matt Prior is confident England will regain the Ashes at The Oval next week although there is still plenty of uncertainty over how the batting order will shape up.

Marcus Trescothick has ruled himself out of a return to the Test arena after admitting the mere thought of it had literally given him nightmares, but veteran Surrey batsman Mark Ramprakash would be prepared to step back into the breach while many believe Kent skipper Robert Key would be a sensible addition to the team.

Ravi Bopara, Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott are all trying to enhance their reputations in this week's county programme, but Prior is putting all the speculation aside to focus on the decisive fifth Test in London next week.

"It's amazing to be 1-1 in an Ashes series, it's like having a final in a Test series, it's so exciting, and the whole country has been gripped by the Ashes and really got behind us," he told BBC Radio Five Live.

"Those 11 guys who walk out at The Oval will be really pumped up."

The thought of playing in such a crucial match was too much for Somerset batsman Trescothick, who had been touted for a surprise recall.

Trescothick, who has been battling stress-related problems and left the last Ashes tour in 2006-07 before the series had even started, told the Bristol Evening Post: "It has been very flattering to see my name mentioned in so many circles since Australia's crushing win at Headingley and I'd be a liar if I said the prospect of playing at The Oval hadn't occupied my mind a lot.

"In fact, that has been the case to such an extent that the other day I woke up at 6.30am from a terrible dream.

"There is a nightmare a lot of cricketers experience that they can't get their pads on when they are due in to bat.

"My dream was a variation of that. I couldn't get my England kit out of my bag! The other players were waiting for me on the pitch to do a team photo so I was in a right panic. I woke up in a cold sweat.

"Perhaps that told me something. It gives me a massive kick that I am still thought good enough to come back and play at international level, but I've gone too far down the line in battling my stress problems to change my mind about now ending my England career."

The 39-year-old Ramprakash, who last played for England in 2002, has declared he is available for action if needed.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in