Michael Vaughan: Prior is right selection but is it too late?

Michaels On The Money / Michael Vaughan / 20 January 2011 / Leave a Comment

"I would have gone for Prior if I had been selecting the squad. But I would have made the decision and informed the player sooner."

The ex-England skipper believes the selectors were right to include Matt Prior in the World Cup squad. He only wishes they'd brought the wicketkeeper into the fold sooner...

I was as surprised as anyone to see Matt Prior included in the England World Cup squad and I just hope the decision hasn't come too late.

Why the selectors didn't bring him back into the one day fold before the start of the Ashes tour I have no idea. That would have been the ideal time and it would have allowed Prior to acclimatise, mentally as much as anything else, to fifty over cricket.

Prior is clearly England's best wicketkeeper but his one day record with the bat is not particularly impressive. Steve Davies can count himself unlucky not to be going to the subcontinent but I would have gone for Prior if I had been selecting the squad. I only would have made the decision and informed the player sooner.

He's been selected on the basis of his excellent Test form but whether his inclusion will work I'm not sure. England are second favourites at [5.9] - behind India [4.5] - to win the World Cup but it takes time for opening partnerships to gel and Prior will be keen to forge some big innings with Andrew Strauss in Australia.

I would actually like to see Ian Bell opening, with Prior batting fruther down the order. However, the selectors look likely to pair the wicketkeeper with the captain and they have the chance to build confidence and an understanding in the next six ODIs. I hope Prior plays himself in, thinks about his shots and isn't too ambitious early on.

The selectors have certainly made a big call. It's been called "ruthless" but it will only be a shrewd decision if it works. I'm not sure. I'm afraid I'm going to have to site on the fence but, in truth, I actually don't think the decision to include Prior will have much bearing on the World Cup.

Chris Tremlett is the only other member of the Ashes squad not to be included in the 15. He's in an odd situation now, playing against the Aussies, knowing he isn't going to the subcontinent. But he shouldn't be too downhearted, it's all experience and I expect Tremlett to remain focused for the remainder of the series. Injuries could certainly occur between now and the World Cup and he remains only one withdrawal from a call up to the 15.