Andrew Miller writes about the third days play at Trent Bridge. Chirping and on field needle is his subject of choice, and he quotes the new English wicketkeeper Mathew Prior as follows:
“It’s a tough game at the top end and if you don’t enjoy it, you’re going to struggle,” Prior said, while insisting that what is said on the field should remain on the field. “It’s never nice when it’s you batting, and 11 blokes are giving you a barrage, but it comes with the territory. It’s Test cricket, it’s a hard game. We all want to win, we’re all playing to win. You’re going to try anything to get one-up on your opponent, as long as its within the spirit of the game.”
Considering that Prior has only just begun to play Test cricket, may be he might consider letting a few go harmlessly past his off stump before he starts making “It’s Test cricket, it’s a hard game” lines. He’s hardly played Test cricket – most of it has been a home series against the weakest West Indies side in living memory.
When a team is doing well, chirp looks and sounds good and smart. Some wit helps as well. When your 270 runs behind on the first innings, chirp looks stupid. Prior has not been tested and if his professional wicketkeepers appeal which accounted for Sourav Ganguly is his understanding of Test cricket being a “hard” game, then may be a visit to the referee’s cabin will do him no harm.
If Prior wants to learn about chirping, he need look no further than Andrew Flintoff – who’s come up with some priceless lines over the years. Watch this video, and may be Matt Prior could take some of Flintoff’s advice:
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