McCullum backs Prior to return to ODI fold

24/06/2010

Brendan McCullum has backed Matt Prior to win his international place back for matches watched by fans with ODI tickets.

Somerset's Craig Kieswetter has been preferred to Prior as England wicket-keeper for the current 50-over series against Australia, a move which has surprised the New Zealand star.

McCullum, who has been playing alongside Prior for Sussex Sharks in the Friends Provident t20, revealed the two glovesmen have been speaking a lot about the matter over the past couple of weeks.

Having seen Prior smash 117 from just 55 balls in the Sharks' 53-run victory over Glamorgan Dragons, the Kiwi all-rounder said his team-mate can play an important role for England in front of fans with ODI tickets.

Speaking to Sussex TV, he remarked: "If he bides his time and keeps putting the runs on the board he will become a prominent player in the shorter versions of world cricket as he is in Test cricket."

In 55 ODIs for England, Prior has amassed 1,425 runs at an average of 25.38.

Posted by Ted Walker