 Prior was involved in England's tour of Zimbabwe last year |
Sussex's Matt Prior says he knows he still has to improve his wicketkeeping after his call-up to England's Test squad for the tour of Pakistan. Prior got the nod as back-up wicketkeeper to Geraint Jones ahead of Nottinghamshire's Chris Read.
"I see myself as a wicketkeeper-batsman and it is up to me to show people that I can keep wicket," said Prior.
"Batting is my strength and I know I will be working very hard this winter on my keeping."
Prior is hoping to continue the progress he made last winter in the Academy set-up under Rod Marsh, and with England A in Sri Lanka.
"Playing in Pakistan is never easy," he said, "but after the Ashes success this summer it is a great time to be involved in English cricket and with an England squad.
"They will be looking to do all the same things as they did against Australia and hopefully we can use that to come up with some good results."
England chairman of selectors David Graveney said run-scoring was the key to Prior securing his place.
"The arguments about keepers have gone back many, many years," said Graveney.
"Matt is really the type of player we want in terms of the make-up of the team - it gives us a balanced attack.
"His frequency of scoring hundreds is superior to Read's. He is the type of player that fits into the team structure and batting is relevant."
Graveney also added that the England selectors respected Darren Gough's decision not to tour Pakistan.
"We held lengthy talks with Darren," he said. "He decided he did not want to go and as selectors we respect that view.
 |  We expect no less a challenge this time around from Pakistan |
Graveney added that Warwickshire's Alex Loudon had been selected in the Test squad and Durham's 20-year-old Liam Plunkett in the one-day squad with one eye on the World Cup.
"What Alex brings in bowling, batting and fielding is exciting," he said.
"Troy Cooley has done a fantastic job in redesigning Liam's action and his selection is about looking at the options for us ahead of the World Cup.
"We have taken the opportunity of picking young players and giving them the chance to learn the experience of playing at international level."
MMIX
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