Should England look at Matt Prior in the 50-over format as well?

Matt Prior would serve as an excellent option for England behind the wickets in the ODI format as well (Getty Images)

It’s rather baffling to understand the decision behind Matt Prior‘s exclusion from the English One Day setup. I believe he started his career in the 50-over format of the game and although he didn’t set the stage on fire, you always knew the threat he possessed.

Before 2011, it was quite understandable that Prior didn’t do much justice to himself with lacklustre performances behind the wicket that led to him being dropped from the One Day side, though he continued as England’s Test wicket-keeper. When England toured India in 2008, Ian Chappell took a dig at Prior’s wicket-keeping skills, saying that, “He has no foot movement to move sideways which is highly imperative for any wicket-keeper.”

But then, I firmly believe that things have changed for the good as far as Prior is concerned and he probably has had the best couple of years in international cricket ever since England thrashed India in 2011, in which Prior played a crucial part both with the bat and behind the wicket.

I still remember his crisis knock during the 1st Test at Lord’s where England were tottering at 62-5 at one stage in the 2nd innings and Ishant Sharma was making the ball talk.

But Prior neutralised Sharma’s effect on the proceedings and went onto make a scintillating century(103*) which helped England stamp their authority on the Test match and take a 1-0 lead in the series. And for me, that knock confirmed him as one of the players to look out for.

And looking at it from the current situation, Craig Kieswetter – as much as he was expected to deliver for England – hasn’t been able to vindicate his selection and in Jos Butler – who has been around the national side for quite sometime now – still doesn’t seem to have settled in as England would have liked. If you ask me, i’d say England are squandering Prior’s improved wicket-keeping skills and his imperious batting exploits at the top.

You’ve had the likes of Nasser Hussain and Michael Atherton voicing their support and sharing their point of view on why Prior should find a place in the One Day squad, but there isn’t any clear evidence as to what could be the exact reason behind Prior’s exclusion even after his resurgence in the longest format of the game.

Maybe, England selectors are looking at the long term and feel that Prior, who is 31 now, may be too old to fit into their plans for a settled wicket-keeper batsman role in the 50-over format.

Only time will tell though, and I for one, am certainly baffled by the whole thing.