JOIN USEngland wicketkeeper Matt Prior, who has been struggling for runs and behind the wickets, has decided to step aside for the rest of the summer season.
“I’m not doing justice to myself and more importantly to the team and that is what matters first and foremost. It is a huge decision and not one I’ve taken lightly, obviously, because I could have played my last game,” said Prior.
“As it stands now, I’ll miss three Test matches, and then I’ll do my utmost to get fit and ready for the back-end of the winter,” he added.
In all likelihood, Jos Butler would step in as wicketkeeper for the nest Test.
Prior has been carrying Achilles and quad niggles for a while now, and said regaining full fitness was the priority for him. “It’s been something I’ve been fighting. Everyone knows I’ve fought injury for most of this summer and up until now, it’s been manageable. I’ve always said that if I’m able to do my job to the level that I want to do it and I’m fit to play, pain management and everything else goes by the side – you’re playing for your country.
“When it starts affecting your movement and you can’t perform to the level that I expect of myself, then it becomes an issue. That’s what has happened, particularly in this game. It’s a tough decision, but the right one.”
Prior said there was no way he could have regained fitness ahead of the third Test, starting on Sunday at Rose Bowl. “I can’t look too far ahead. Right now, I have to look at this series, and more importantly, the game starting on Sunday.
I have to be very honest with myself, my team-mates, coach and captain. I just don’t believe I was able to perform at the level I expect of myself and the level I want to perform for England, with the injuries I’m carrying at the moment.”