England must drop keeper Prior if it wants to win Stanford Twenty20: Warne

Australian News.Net
Saturday 11th October, 2008 (ANI)

London, Oct.11 : Former Australian leg spinner Shane Warne has told England to drop wicketkeeper Matt Prior before he compromises the team
’s chances of winning 10-million pounds in next month’s Stanford Twenty20 clash.

The winner-takes-all match was given the green light on Thursday after compromise was reached in the row over sponsorship rights.

All eyes now switch to the players
— and, in particular, Prior in the unenviable position of wicketkeeper.

One dropped catch or missed stumping could see each player of his team deprived of 570,000 pounds each.

He told SunSport:
“Every team wants a Gilchrist — someone who can bat like one of the best in the world while also keeping wicket well. But a wicketkeeper should be able to keep wicket first and foremost — runs with the bat are a bonus. For me, the wicketkeeping art is being lost.

“When I see Matthew Prior in the team I think ‘Are you serious?’ OK he can slog a few at the top of the order with the bat. But if I’m Steve Harmison or Andrew Flintoff and you get a top batsman to edge one, I’d be holding my breath to see if he catches it. He is that bad,” added Warne.

Warne
’s recent visit to London to promote his new book has prompted rumours he may be set to answer an Ashes SOS call next summer.

But any talk of a dramatic turnaround have been scotched by the 39-year-old.

Warne said:
“When I retired last year I felt I did it with a bit of class — on my own terms and after a 5-0 whitewash of England.

“But I will never say ‘Never’. If every Australian spinner broke down injured, yes I’d have to assess any offer at the time. It’s all talk and at the moment I have absolutely no interest — I’m really happy with my life right now,” he said.

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