Prior in line for opener

– Paceman Chris Tremlett and injured wicketkeeper Matt Prior, above, were given the thumbs- up by England yesterday, suggesting both are likely to play in the first Ashes Test against Australia starting here on Thursday.

ngland bowling coach David Saker said Tremlett, bidding for the third seamer’s spot, was doing well bowling in the nets after being rested for the tourists’ sevenwicket win over the Cricket Australia Invitational XI in Sydney.

Prior has been a concern since straining his calf against Australia ‘A’ in Hobart. But Saker said he was confident the first-choice gloveman will be fit to start, with Jonny Bairstow on standby.

Saker admits Tremlett and other candidates Steven Finn and Boyd Rankin have failed to press their Test case so far on tour.

Saker described Finn, who took eight wickets but leaked runs in in Sydney, as a “work in progress”, but said Tremlett had done well in the nets after being rested at the