TURNAROUND IN THE ENGLAND ONE-DAY FORTUNES
Australia were 50- over cricket’s pre-eminent force, with England so often also-rans.
“What’s hilarious for me is it’s almost like roles reversed,” Prior said.
“I played in many England oneday teams, when we played like Australia are playing now – too defensive, not getting enough runs on the board, leaving too much for the back end.
“Then the opposition would come and play like England are playing and absolutely trounce us.
“It’s incredible to see that England are now that team, playing the brand of cricket people have been longing for.
“Ma n y tried and failed previously, but this team have just got it right, ably led by Eoin Morgan.”
Prior finds Bairstow’s brilliant form especially heartening, after England’s Test wicketkeeper reportedly endured some of the worst of Australian sledging in last winter’s Ashes before the balltampering fiasco in South Africa three months ago convinced them to alter their image.
“It’s the only way to answer, isn’t it?” he said.
“When you have verbals thrown at you – and some horrendous verbals as well – the best thing to do is just score back- to- back hundreds and keep winning games.
“He’s done exactly that, taken it all in his stride, with a pinch of salt and said: ‘Do you know what, I’m just going to score runs’.”
At Trent Bridge, Bairstow set the tone with 139 from 92 balls.
“Someone said: ‘Jonny Bairstow is on for a double hundred’,” added Prior.
“But if Jonny had carried on batting for 50 overs, he’d have got 300!”
Prior was supporting children’s charity Chance to Shine during ‘ Yorkshire Tea National Cricket Week’, which gives thousands of children across the country the opportunity to play and learn through cricket. It is the fifth anniversary of Yorkshire Tea’s support for grassroots cricket.
He added of England’s current world- beating form: “It’s just absolutely outstanding.
“As an ex-player, as an England fan, as a supporter of cricket it’s great to watch.
“Flash in the pan, one innings, brilliant, but they’re actually doing it time and time again.
“Who’d have thought, a few years ago, we’d have been saying England are leading the way in ODI cricket?
“It’s been a hell of a turnaround and fantastic.”