The England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has retired from cricket with immediate effect after conceding defeat in his battle with a longstanding achilles injury.
Prior, who played 79 Tests and was part of three Ashes-winning teams, underwent surgery on the problem last September, and while no return date was set for his rehabilitation, the 33-year-old had been hopeful of a return with his county Sussex But now the back of medical advice, Prior has accepted that a comeback will not be possible, with the Lord’s Test defeat against India last July his final appearance in any cricket.
“Today is a very sad day for me as I am forced to announce my retirement from the game I love,” said Prior. “I had been hoping and expecting to be fit for the start of the 2015 season. Unfortunately, this has proved impossible, and I have now had to reach this decision.
“I feel honoured to have played for Sussex and England as many times as I have and shared so many great times with both teams. I also feel privileged to have been involved in an era of such success for English cricket.
“I would like to thank my family, team-mates, coaches and the people behind the scenes that have supported me throughout the years. I have created friendships that will last forever. It would also be remiss of me not to thank the fantastic support I have had from cricket fans both at home and abroad.”
Prior can look back on an England career that saw him score 4,099 runs and 265 dismissals in Test cricket since his debut against West Indies in 2007, having been an integral part of the team that rose to No1 in the rankings under captain Andrew Strauss in 2011.
“Matt has had a wonderful career as a wicketkeeper-batsman for both Sussex and England,” said Strauss, in his new guise as director of England cricket.” During a period where the Test team won three Ashes series and achieved the world number one ranking, Matt’s contribution both on and off the field was immense.
“It is a huge shame that his career has come to an end in this way, although his athletic wicketkeeping and counter-attacking batting will live long in the memories of both his team-mates and England supporters.”
We may have had our differences, but I'd like to wish @MattPrior13 all the best for his future...we did play some v good cricket together!✌️
— Kevin Pietersen (@KP24) June 11, 2015
Prior fell out with Kevin Pietersen who, in his autobiography, labelled him “a Dairylea triangle thinking he was Brie”.
But following the announcement of his retirement, Pietersen took to Twitter to post a tribute followed by an emoji of the hand gesture for peace.
“We may have had our differences, but I’d like to wish Matt Prior all the best for his future...we did play some v good cricket together!” he said.
Prior then responded with: “thanks Kev appreciate the message.”
Source - The Guardian