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Cricket

Warne tells England to drop Prior before they regret it

11/10/2008

Australian cricket legend Shane Warne has told England's selectors to drop wicketkeeper Matt Prior before he makes a costly error.

Warne feels the Sussex man's glove skills are not up to international standard and fears he could drop a vital chance in the Stanford Twenty20 match – worth £500,000 per player to the winners – or next year's Ashes series.

The spinner says he understands that modern sides want a wicketkeeper who can bat and try and emulate Adam Gilchrist but Warne believes a good glove-man is worth more to the side.

He told the Sun: "Every team wants a Gilchrist - someone who can bat like one of the best in the world while also keeping wicket well.

"But a wicketkeeper should be able to keep wicket first and foremost - runs with the bat are a bonus."

Warne says bowlers such as Steve Harmison and Andrew Flintoff would perform even better if they had more confidence in the man behind the stumps. Because of this Warne has urged the England selectors to find a suitable wicketkeeper before Prior makes a costly drop.

He added: "For me, the wicketkeeping art is being lost. These days it's simply a case that if they can bat, they will get picked.

"When I see Matthew Prior in the team I think 'Are you serious?' OK he can slog a few at the top of the order with the bat.

"But if I'm Steve Harmison or Andrew Flintoff and you get a top batsman to edge one, I'd be holding my breath to see if he catches it. He is that bad."

Warne also took the opportunity to confirm that he has no plans to come out of international retirement and face England next year, claiming he was happy to have gone out on a high following the 5-0 whitewash in the last series between the sides in Australia.