By Matt Prior England wicket-keeper

It's certainly been a summer of ups and downs for me and England, but the way it ended on a personal note was absolutely devastating.

It only sank in when I left the team hotel on my own, flying west instead of east Matt Prior

After a Test series win over the West Indies, during which I scored a century on debut, and a one-day series win over India, I went to the World Twenty20 full of hope and expectation.

So I was totally gutted when I broke my thumb during practice this week, therefore ruling myself out of the rest of the tournament and the one-day series in Sri Lanka.

It was just a freak accident - coach Peter Moores was giving me some throw-downs at Kingsmead and one just bounced a bit and caught my thumb right on the money.

My initial hope was that it was dislocated; if it had been I would've just had it put back in, strapped up, popped some painkillers and got on with it.

But, to be honest, I knew straight away it was bad. You get to know your body pretty well and this was one of those times when you don't need the physio to tell you something's not good.

Ironically, I've never even fractured a finger in my life before and it only really sank in when I left the team hotel on my own on Thursday, flying west instead of east.

Really, the timing could not have been worse. I have been putting in a lot of hard work between matches after a few sticky innings and in Newlands against South Africa I took four catches and scored a few runs - I really felt like I'd turned a corner.

606: DEBATE Prior will be gutted... but I rate Mustard very highly AlexCricket

Even though I was obviously disappointed we couldn't win the match, I came away from that game really looking forward to the rest of the tournament and the winter in Sri Lanka.

However, it's not to be and I refuse to be too down about it.

I firmly believe you have to look at the positives in every situation and I have got six or so weeks out of the game now which I intend to use really positively.

I'll get back to England, maintain and improve my fitness, but mainly assess how this summer has gone - what went well and what parts of my game I want to work on.

I see this is as a chance to look at parts of my game that don't always get the consideration that perhaps they should, things like the mental side, and I will come back better for it.

When I got this opportunity with England, I promised myself I was going to hold onto it with both hands, but circumstances out of my control mean Phil Mustard will get his chance in my place in the one-day series against Sri Lanka.

I hope England go to Sri Lanka and do well, I hope Phil does well Matt Prior on Phil Mustard

There is no way I'm going to sit back and wish poor luck on anyone for the sake of my place in the side - I hope England go to Sri Lanka and do well, I hope Phil does well, and I hope we come away with the series win - that's the most important thing.

Despite what was a poor World Twenty20 campaign all in all, the mood in the camp is still super positive and I know all the lads are looking forward to getting out there.

As a squad, we have a really good environment and I'll certainly be keeping in touch with the fellas via text messages, wishing them all the best because I've gained some really good mates in the squad.

We all know that you have your ups and downs, but since the one-day series against the West Indies in July this team has come a long way and there are some really positive things happening.

And while they're out there for the one-day series, I will be doing my best to ensure I come back stronger and better than ever, so that when my chance comes again I really make my mark.

If Phil does do well and the decision is made that I'm not required when I'm fit again, I will go back to Sussex, work hard and I will come back - that's sport, that's how it works.

With any luck I might be back just in time to gatecrash the celebrations - the boys certainly deserve it Prior on Sussex's title bid

A bit of perspective is sometimes needed - it's only a broken thumb and I'll come back from this because I feel I've set up a good base at the top level from which I can build.

From what I've been told it looks like the recuperation period will be the full six weeks because it was a pretty bad break.

But I'm looking to be fully fit and available for selection when the Test series in Sri Lanka comes around and my goal is now to get strong, get my fingers right for that series, and give it a red hot go if given the chance.

As for my immediate plans, I arrive back in England on Friday morning and will be racing down to Hove to see how Sussex are getting on against Worcestershire as we continue our push for the Championship title.

I've kept a very close eye on how we've been getting on while I've been away and it looks like we've been brilliant. All the boys coming in have done brilliantly, not least stand-in wicket-keeper Andrew Hodd - no matter where I go I have to fight for my place I guess!

We need to beat Worcestershire and all I can do is keep my fingers firmly crossed while I'm on the flight home and hope for the best.

With any luck I might be back just in time to gatecrash the celebrations - the boys back in Sussex certainly deserve it.