Sussex to rest Prior for England

Prior has had an impressive summer with England so far

Sussex have revealed that wicketkeeper Matt Prior will not travel with the squad to the inaugural Champions League Twenty20 competition in India.

Sussex manager Mark Robinson has opted to rest Prior ahead of his winter commitments with England.

"It was the right thing to do and we all at Sussex must respect Matt's dream to continue his England ambitions," Robinson said.

Prior will travel with England to the ICC Champions Trophy in September.

The tournament in South Africa follows the current one-day international series with Australia, and precedes a full England tour to the same country two months later.

The one thing that kept coming out was his desire to be as fit and as fresh to represent his country

Sussex professional cricket manager Mark Robinson

Robinson continued: "I've had a lot of talks with Matty about what is best for him.

"He obviously is desperate to help his county do well in what is a major competition and he's also aware of the other potential avenues that could be opened up by him doing well as an individual in India, such as the Indian Premier League.

"When talking with him, the one thing that kept coming out was his desire to be as fit and as fresh to represent his country."

Prior was also rested by his county for the domestic Twenty20 finals day in August, in order to ready him for the final Ashes test.

Luke Wright, who is also in the England squad for the Champions Trophy as well as the current one day series with Australia, will represent Sussex in the Champions League T20, which begins on 8 October.