MATT PRIOR is winning the battle to start the new season as Sussex's wicketkeeper.
The 19-year-old, who joined the county staff just three weeks ago, will be behind the stumps when Sussex start their penultimate warm-up match against Gloucestershire at Hastings tomorrow (11am).
He has got the nod ahead of Nick Wilton after impressing in Sussex's pre-season training camp in Grenada when he made a match winning half-century in the friendly against Northamptonshire.
Prior was unable to play in the final two games of the trip after injuring his hip, but he has been training all week with the squad without any reaction.
Coach Peter Moores said: "Both Nick and Matt have kept extremely well in pre-season, but this is an opportunity for us to have a look at Matt.
"We have always said that we want a keeper who can score runs and Matt has certainly got a pedigree with the bat. He's earned the right and this is a good opportunity for him."
Sussex have named a 13 man squad and may opt to play a two-day and one-day fixture against Gloucestershire.
Jamie Carpenter will probably be Richard Montgomerie's opening partner and there could be opportunities for Will House and Bas Zuiderent as the battle to stake a claim in the team for the Championship opener on Wednesday week intensifies.
The squad have spent the week doing indoor nets and training and Moores is happy with their preparations despite the absence of outdoor nets since they returned from the Caribbean.
Overseas signing Murray Goodwin arrives on Wednesday, the day Sussex complete their pre-season preparations with a one-day friendly at Northampton.
Sussex: (from) Carpenter, Montgomerie, Adams (capt), Zuiderent, Cottey, House, Rashid, Martin-Jenkins, Davis, Prior, Kirtley, Lewry, Robinson.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article