`Unselfish` Prior on course to enter pantheon of legendary England keepers

London: Although Matt Prior missed out on a seventh Test century in the first innings of the second Test match against New Zealand at the Basin Reserve, the wicketkeeper is on course to top legends like Alan Knott, Alec Stewart and Les Ames in the pantheon of England glove men.

Prior`s 82 off 99 balls against New Zealand in the second Test was the epitome of an unselfish player at the top of his game and a perfect example of the quality which earned him the vice-captaincy on this tour. When Prior came in at 325-5, England were in danger of letting their ascendancy slip, and by the time he was ninth man out, two sixes and 10 boundaries later, he had catapulted England towards a formidable 465 all out. Not bad for a bloke who, by his own admission, first broke into the England team with an image problem. Earlier this winter, Prior had admitted he was brash, he had a diamond ear stud, a bald head and looked a bit of a thug, but by the time he finishes, Prior is likely to have left Knott, Stewart and Ames behind in the record books. However Prior insisted he got a long way to go before he can be compared to those names, adding it`s for other people to say where he fits in. Prior added those guys are legends and he has got a lot to do before he can class himself alongside them, adding one day he might be able to look back and say, ``yes, he had a good influence on the team, but it`s not for him to judge.” ANI