Matt Prior - A Wisden Cricketer of the Year?

As a bit of a cricket traditionalist who prefers whites to pyjamas, tests to T20 and Brian Johnston to Danny Morrison, I always look forward to the annual publication of the Wisden Cricketers' Almanack. Indeed, despite my wife's protestations that they take up too much room on the bookshelves, the purchase of said tomb is an annual event to be celebrated alongside the anniversaries of Agincourt and Waterloo (well, I am an Englishman living in France!).

I see that this year's Wisden celebrates England's Ashes triumph last summer and editor Scyld Berry launches a scathing attack on the counties putting self-preservation above the fortunes of the England cricket team. So far, so good; or so I thought.

Then, we get on to the five cricketers of the year. Now I know that this honour is only bestowed on a player once, with the notable exceptions of Pelham Warner (1904 and 1921) and Jack Hobbs (1909 and 1926), is based on cricketers' impact on the English season only, and that consequently this limits the choice to some extent. But I was surprised to say the least that Matt Prior was one of the lucky recipients.

Of the others Stuart Broad bowled the decisive spell of the series, Graeme Swann was vital to the wins at Lord's and the Oval, Michael Clarke was consistently brilliant with the bat and Graham Onions made a decent start in England colours to follow on from excellent performances for Durham. But Prior?

Yes, his keeping improved markedly last summer culminating with the stumping of Marcus North at the Oval. But given that prior to last summer he couldn't have kept worse if he had been blindfolded and had his hands tied behind his back, that is not saying much. With the bat, Prior scored 261 runs against Australia at 32.62; even with a strike rate of over 80 that is hardly earth shattering stuff. 

So, is Prior the most fortunate ever recipient of what is a very prestigious award? And who could have been honoured instead? The answer to the first question is probably yes and as for other more worthy winners? How about Jonathan Trott who had a first-class average of over 80 and then despite doomsayers and amidst intense pressure scored a hundred on test debut at the Oval. Or how about Ben Hilfenhaus who consistently impressed for the Aussies throughout the series and was probably the best bowler on either side. And no doubt there were many more worthy winners in the county game such as Michael Di Venuto to name but one.  

Comments

[Dave Bird]

So who were the five that got the awards? Surely Graeme Swann would have been by far the most deserving --- unless he won it earlier?

[Tickers]

If they persist with the current trend of focusing not only on the English summer but the English international summer, it will very quickly become near impossible to find an England player who hasn't got the nod.

[The Reverse Sweep]

Onions, Broad, Swann and Michael Clarke - all fibe, but Prior?

[The Reverse Sweep]

Totally agree. My memory fails me, but there must have been a stack of county players more deserving than Prior

[Dave Bird]

Ta, wasn't sure if that was four who should have got it, or the other four that did. I was woken by at a cat at 5 something this morning. I blame him.

[The Reverse Sweep]

Funny that because my dog woke me up at 4.00 because he wanted a wee.