Prior out as gloves pass to Ambrose

Jan 5 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

ENGLAND have dropped Matt Prior for the forthcoming tour of New Zealand but Durham’s Phil Mustard will remain the Test team’s second-choice wicket-keeper after seeing Tim Ambrose overtake him in the five-day pecking order.

Prior and Ravi Bopara were both dropped from the squad to face the Kiwis (though the latter is in the party for next month’s one-dayers) after disappointing tours of Sri Lanka and chairman of selectors David Graveney has warned others will follow if the Three Lions’ losing streak continues.

England have now lost back-to-back series and after a particularly dismal showing in Sri Lanka, Graveney’s patience is wearing thin.

“The message is clear from the selectors to all the senior players – this is the time to deliver,” said the former Durham captain.

“We haven’t had enough hundreds and we need to be bowling people out. Matt and Ravi have been left out but we haven’t made major alterations.

“We have to get back to winning ways but we need seniors players to stand up and perform.”

Former Durham University student Andrew Strauss has been recalled at Bopara’s expense after the all-rounder averaged a miserable 8.4 with the bat in his debut series. Prior was one of England’s best batsmen but his unconvincing displays behind the stumps have cost him.

Mustard provided back-up to Prior in the Tests having kept in the one-day series while the 25-year-old recovered from injury. And while the man from Washington is expected to remain as opener and keeper for the five-match 50-over series and two Twenty20 games, uncapped Ambrose is expected to be start the Test tour as first choice.

Like Prior, Ambrose was born overseas but learned his trade at Sussex, where former wicket-keeper Peter Moores was coach. Moores is now England coach.

Ambrose, 25, was born in Australia and only moved to England eight years ago for a three-day trial with Sussex. He joined Warwickshire in 2005. Like Prior, batting is his strongest suit.

“I’m a wicketkeeper-batsman and it’s my job now to try and fill that spot as well as I can,” said Ambrose. “That’s what I’ll be aiming to do.

“There’s competition for all places and that’s healthy. It’s always good to have someone behind pushing you on and making sure you’re doing everything right and doing the best you can. If I get the chance hopefully I can help England win matches.

“I’ve lived all my adult life here and it is my home. It’s where all my friends are and I haven’t actually been to Australia for a few years. I’m very proud to have the opportunity to hopefully represent the country.”

England have failed to settle on a regular wicketkeeper since Alec Stewart’s retirement in 2003. Recalls were considered for James Foster and Chris Read and although Graveney opted instead for two uncapped keepers, he refused to rule out a return for Prior at some point.

“I’m sure Matt will be back,” he said. “He’s proven he can play at that level but we have to improve our ratio of taking chances.

“We felt as well as Matt Prior batted there are areas of his wicketkeeping that need working on.”

Kent’s James Tredwell is the only other new face in the limited-overs squad, which will be captained by Paul Collingwood. Ambrose and Strauss are the only additions to the Test squad which toured Sri Lanka.

With his current role about to be made obsolete, Graveney will be interviewed for the new post of national selector next week and acknowledged he is under pressure.

“We’re in it together,” he said. “Selectors, Peter (Moores) and his management team, and the players who take the pitch – we have to raise our level of performance.”