Matt Prior Announces Retirement From Professional Cricket

Matt Prior Announces Retirement From Professional Cricket: The English wicket-keeper batsmen, Matthew James Prior announced his shock retirement from all forms of competitive cricket on a medical advice due to his long recurring Achilles tendons injury.

Before the beginning of the 2015 cricket season, Matt Prior had asserted his intentions to make an international comeback after he last appeared in the three lions at the Lord’s test against India, last July.

“Today is a very sad day for me as I am forced to announce my retirement from the game I love. I had been hoping and expecting to be fit for the start of the 2015 season. Unfortunately, this has proved impossible, and I have now had to reach this decision”, said Prior.

"When were named no1 in the world, that was a time I felt at my proudest of my teammates & the @englandcricket team"https://t.co/CUxyHbg22K

— England Cricket (@englandcricket) June 11, 2015

The former English vice-captain had suffered a major tear to his Achilles tendon last summer, after which he was expected to make a return after six months. He also underwent reconstructive surgery to repair a three-inch tear to his left Achilles tendon. But, even after the rehabilitation work, it took further three months before doctors finally advised Prior against returning to competitive cricket.

Reflecting on his wonderful career, the 33 year old said: “I feel honored to have played for Sussex and England as many times as I have and shared so many great times with both teams. I also feel privileged to have been involved in an era of such success for English cricket.

Prior also acknowledged all his supporters and well wishers. He said: “I would like to thank my family, team-mates, coaches and the people behind the scenes that have supported me throughout the years. I have created friendships that will last forever. It would also be remiss of me not to thank the fantastic support I have had from cricket fans both at home and abroad.

The 33 year old Sussex wicket-keeper batter was one of the most prolific English players in the longer format of the game. In 79 tests, he accumulated 4,099 runs at an impressive average of 40.18 as well as at a handy strike rate of 61. He also affected 256 dismissals against his name. The three time ashes winner was the second fastest English Wicket-keeper to reach 1,000 test runs as well as the only wicket-keeper batter to amass ton on his debut for the country. He was a gritty performer in alien overseas conditions with an exemplary away average of 42.

A staunchly devoted and committed player on the 22 yards, Prior said: “I have always tried to play with pride and passion and have a deep belief that the team will always come first, a value that will never leave me whatever I go on to do. Although I haven’t achieved all the goals I had set out to, I feel immensely proud of what I have done in my career. Sadly it is now time to move on.”

It was Andrew Strauss under whom he blossomed as a player and shared the glorious moment of being the cogwheel in the No.1 Test side of the world. Former English Captain and ECB’s Director Andrew Strauss said “Matt has had a wonderful career as a wicket-keeper batsman for both Sussex and England. During a period where the Test team won three Ashes series and achieved the World no.1 ranking, Matt’s contribution, both on and off the field, was immense.

But, on his deeply saddening end, he stated that “It is a huge shame that his career has come to an end in this way, although his athletic wicket-keeping and counter attacking batting will live long in the memories of both his team-mates and England supporters.”

Though, Prior had a below par limited overs career for the English side. In 68 ODI’s, he aggregated 1,282 runs at a mediocre average of 24.18 with three half-centuries to his credit. While he also featured in 10 T-20 Internationals in which he racked up 127 runs at an average of 21 and strike rate of 127.

Although, Prior also garnered negative publicity in his career when the Maverick English batter Kevin Pietersen made starking claims against the South African born, Prior in 2014. He had stated that:
‘Big Cheese’ Matt Prior was a schoolyard bully and a teacher’s pet… he was ‘a Dairylea triangle thinking he’s Brie’
Even though, English players and management denied the claims. They all hailed him as the ultimate team man who will always be remembered for his resilient displays behind and in front of the stumps.