The Wind of change MATT’S ASHES HOPE
The shock 2-1 Test series loss will act as a “rude wake-up call” for Joe Root’s men according to former Enland wicketkeeper Prior (right).
And far from being a negative, he thinks it will ensure they are even more desperate and determined to win back The Ashes this summer.
He said: “Nobody likes losing a Test series, especially ones that you are expected to win.
“England went over to the West Indies firm favourites and everyone thought they would roll them over.
“But Test cricket isn’t as simple as that and they came up against a very good fast bowling unit and the batsmen could not cope.
“Preparation time was clearly a problem once again.
“You get to the third Test and the series has already gone but that’s when England looked switched on and ready to start the series!
“You can’t blame the players as they don’t choose the schedule. They just had to get on with it and make the most of things.
“It’s something that has to be addressed in the future – the problem is the lack of time with so much cricket played now.
“Ideally you want to start an Ashes year with some momentum and building up the performance level to the first Test but in a way it may prove a blessing in disguise.
“It was the kind of rude wake-up call which makes everyone realise things are not as good as people feel.”
Prior, who played 79 times for England between 2007 and 2014, also claims it is time the selectors stopped messing around with the wicketkeeping role and tell Jonny Bairstow he will definitely be the No.1 behind the stumps against Australia.
He said: “Some of the selections have been a little strange and have not worked out.
“The one that didn’t make sense was the decision to drop Bairstow from behind the stumps.
“Ben Foakes did well in Sri Lanka but it’s a different game in the Caribbean and to be honest the keeper spot is the least of England’s worries. “Bairstow has been messed around when they could have stuck with him knowing he is a decent keeper who will get runs eventually. “The biggest selection issue was the top-order batting and sadly it still is. Neither Rory Burns or Keaton Jennings have managed to prove they deserve to be in the side for The Ashes.
“Joe Denly showed some promise and deserves more time.”