Matt Prior hopes he will be able to keep wicket for England at Lord’s this week despite reports he was experiencing discomfort in his Achilles tendon.
Prior has suffered problems in his heel before and did not take part in a team golf day, organised by the Professional Cricketers’ Association, at The Grove Hotel in Hertfordshire yesterday.
But sources indicated that Prior, the team’s vice-captain, was optimistic he would be fit enough to take part in the Second Investec Test, which starts on Thursday.
Prior has become an increasingly important member of the England team in recent years, scoring vital runs at No7, and it would be a huge blow were he unable to play. The 31-year-old is one of the best wicketkeeper-batsman in the world and has seen off all rivals for the job in the England side.
Were Prior unavailable, England would have to consider whether to hand over the gloves to Jonny Bairstow, who has never kept wicket in a Test match and remains raw behind the stumps.
Before the start of the Ashes series, Prior felt his Achilles tendons were in as good condition as they had been for a long time.
The Sussex player does intensive cycling work, both indoors and outdoors, in an attempt to ensure he is ready for the cricket challenges ahead.
