Prior's comes of age

Few recent England players seem to have split cricket fans' and commentators' opinion quite as comprehensively or passionately as Matt Prior.

The Sussex gloveman burst onto the Test arena with a century at Lord's and finished the season with an average of just under 40 and series wins against the West Indies and India under his belt.

Yet his perceived vocal aggression behind the stumps, combined with the occasional error with the gloves, prompted many to call into question not just his position in the side but also his character.

At times, with one article in the Telegraph referring to him as "a buffoon", the criticism was just downright spiteful.

However, following an enforced six-week absence and comeback duck in the first innings in Kandy, Prior produced arguably his best international innings to date in almost salvaging an unlikely draw against Sri Lanka alongside Ian Bell.

It eventually proved to be in vain as England lost by 88 runs, but it went a long way to justifying the selectors' faith in him after a difficult few months.

And, according to former keepers Alec Stewart and Jack Russell, it was further confirmation that the 25-year-old has the ability and mental character to be England's stand-out keeper-batsman for years to come.

"He's had to take a lot of knocks, but the way he has come back proves the kind of person and player that he is," Russell told BBC Sport.

606: DEBATE Source: BBC Sport Powered by Blogger.