Matt Prior has backed ECB’s decision of axing Kevin Pietersen. The wicketkeeper thinks that the environment in the Three Lions’ changing room would be much better in the absence of maverick batsman.
Although Matt Prior admitted that in terms of ability, Pietersen might have been better than any other cricketer that has played for England till date, but, at the same time he also said that apart from the ability, the values are also very important and in that regard, KP wasn’t right up there.
Prior said, “The England Cricket Board emphasises a lot on the values and rightly so. It’s very important for a player to have the passion to win matches for the country that he is representing at the international level.”
There had been reports of Prior and Cook playing a part in Pietersen being axed and now after this statement, those reports seem to be true.
Prior had had very tough time with the bat in the Ashes series against Australia. He failed miserably in the first three test matches and as a result of that, he was dropped for the 4th one which was played in Melbourne. He was the deputy skipper of the team, despite that; the England team management took that decision.
According to Prior, being dropped was a little bit heart breaking for him, but, he was clearly out of nick and thus, didn’t deserve to be in the playing XI.
When asked about him being left out, the South Africa born cricketer said, “I have taken it as a challenge. I desperately want to be back amongst the runs and regain my spot back in the England test side.”
Prior has featured for the Three Lions in 75 test matches in his career so far.