Full name Matthew James Prior

Born February 26, 1982, Johannesburg, Transvaal, South Africa

Current age 27 years 130 days

Major teams England, England A, England Lions, Sussex, Sussex Cricket Board

Batting style Right-hand bat

Fielding position Wicketkeeper

Height 5 ft 11 in

Education Brighton College, East Sussex

Matthew Prior moved to England from South Africa and represented England at all ages, up to and including the Under-19 squad, making his Sussex debut in 2001. An aggressive batsman whose wicketkeeping development has been slightly hampered by having to share county duties with Tim Ambrose, he toured India with the England A side in 2003-04. He was selected to tour Zimbabwe as part of England's one-day squad in November 2004 and played in just one match, striking 35. He rejoined the A team for their series against United Arab Emirates and, after an unconvincing first match - he made 0 - he went on hit 84, 56 and 122 not out. He had less success in the subsequent triangular tournament against Sri Lanka A and Pakistan A. Prior earned selection for the England winter tours of Pakistan and India in 2005-06, but playing mostly as a batsman he failed to make any real impact. This lack of form resulted in him missing out of the Champions Trophy in October 2006, but he was named in the Academy squad to be stationed in Perth during the 2006-07 Ashes series. Two fifties in England A's 2-1 win over Bangladesh A wasn't enough to book him a World Cup berth, but his chance arrived when he was named in the squad for the first Test against West Indies. He began in thrilling fashion, becoming the first England wicketkeeper to score a century on debut with an unbeaten 126 at Lord's, followed by 75 at Headingley. The new Alec Stewart, England hoped, had arrived. However, a poor subsequent series against India and a disappointing tour to Sri Lanka exposed flaws with his keeping, as his star diminished and he was dropped for England's tour of New Zealand in 2008.
Will Luke January 2008

When the hunt was on to find a successor to Alec Stewart as a wicket-keeper/batsman in the England team, Matthew Prior suddenly came to the forefront of public awareness. Although he was born in Johannesburg, he represented Sussex at every level from Under 12 upwards during his time at Brighton College, made his county debut in 2001 and, that year, played for the England Under 19 side. Whether he was keeping or not, he was more or less a regular in the Sussex side from the moment he made his debut, but it was in 2003 that he finally emerged as a player worthy of more attention by the national selectors. He had made his initial first-class hundred in 2002, against Hampshire at Hove, but in 2003 he scored four more as he passed a thousand runs in Sussex's quest for the Frizzell County Championship title, as well as making significant strides with his wicket-keeping abilities. His name was mentioned in connection with the full England squad for the 2003/04 winter tours, but he did gain selection for the ECB National Academy squad.

NBC Denis Compton Award 2001
NBC Denis Compton Award 2002
NBC Denis Compton Award 2003

May 26, 2009

Matt Prior was named Man of the Match for his 87 from 86 balls

© Getty Images

May 26, 2009

Matt Prior and Owais Shah added 149 for the third wicket

© Getty Images

May 26, 2009

Matt Prior blazes a drive over the covers

© Getty Images

View the full index of related photos »