Prior confident united England can win Ashes

Matt Prior claims England can take a leaf out of Sussex’s book in their bid to win back the Ashes.

The wicketkeeper believes team spirit will be the key to overcoming Australia in the five-match series which starts at Cardiff on Wednesday.

Prior has been preparing with the England squad for the last two weeks and says the togetherness in the camp is reminiscent of when Sussex won back-to-back County Championship titles in 2006 and 2007.

That was not the case just six months ago following the ugly bust-up between captain Kevin Pietersen and coach Peter Moores.

Ironically Moores was the coach who was instrumental in giving Prior the chance to establish himself at Test level.

His departure so close to the Ashes was initially viewed as a hammer blow to England’s hopes of beating the Australians but Prior says new coach Andy Flower and skipper Andrew Strauss have created a strong bond in the dressing room which could prove crucial this summer.

Prior said: “The squad is very tight at the moment. We have just carried on from the West Indies series and everybody is really confident and looking forward to the series starting.

“Everybody is enjoying everyone else’s success and team spirit like that is rare. I remember feeling this way at Sussex when we were winning Championships so hopefully we can have similar success.

“If we can keep that team spirit for five Test matches and all pull together in the same direction that will be the key. I think we have got a great chance.”

Read the full article at The Argus website >>>