You can't begin to imagine how Matt Prior must have felt on Tuesday morning.

He was interrupted in the middle of making a bacon sandwich and told he would soon be an England cricketer.

Chairman of selectors David Graveney had hinted at the weekend that there might be a surprise name in the squad for the one-day series in Zimbabwe in November, although Prior didn't expect it to be him.

But as the 22-year-old celebrated and his mobile phone went into meltdown, a few other people were entitled to bask in the reflected glory as Prior realised his dream just three years after joining the county staff.

For his is an achievement very much made in Sussex.

Prior was born in Johannesburg and lived in South Africa until he was 11. As a youngster, he wasn't that keen on cricket and his father, Mike, more or less forced him to attend a school trial at the age of eight. But having picked up a bat for the first time, he was hooked.

As soon as he arrived in Sussex his potential was spotted, initially by John Spencer, the former Sussex player who is cricket master at Brighton College. Sussex were alerted and he was quickly working his way through the county's age group system.

He won England recognition for the first time at 14, but that was always going to be just the first step for a player who, even then, had developed a strong sense of his own destiny.

In 1996, he told The Argus: "I want a place in the Sussex first XI and the England first XI and I'll get there. It may take ten years, but I'll get there." In the end, it's taken him just eight and no one who has followed his career will be that shocked.

There was no surprise who was top of the list when Prior was asked to name the person, after himself, who had helped him achieve his dream.

He said: "I've worked with Peter Moores since I was 12 and he's always been there for me and he still looks after me."

It was Moores who spotted that Prior had the potential to develop a dual role as wicketkeeper-batsmen. He got into the Sussex side at 19 doing just that and has seen off competition, for the time being at least, from Tim Ambrose to remain in the job even though, by his own admission, his glovework could still be improved.

There are others in Prior's own particular roll of honour.

"All the Academy coaches, in particular Keith Greenfield, Ian Waring and Chris Waller, have put in so much work with me," he added. "Then there are people like Mark Robinson, my first room-mate, who taught me so much about the game, and all the coaches who helped me at regional and England level as well.

"Then there are my parents Mike and Terri. I'm very lucky to have the support of them and my girlfriend Emily."

Sussex supporters who have monitored Prior's progress will be delighted at the elevation of one of their own.

Some will point out that not enough players come through the system to play for the county, never mind their country, and they have a point. Of the regulars in the Championship team this season only Prior, Robin Martin-Jenkins and James Kirtley came through the ranks, most of the rest were imported from far and wide.

At least Kirtley the last Sussex player to represent his country - and Prior are proof that the system works and if nothing else, Prior's selection will encourage the hundreds of kids in the county's age group teams that it is possible to reach the top.

It should also enthuse the many coaches and helpers who put in hours of unpaid work with the potential stars of the future. When Prior walks out to open the batting for his country in Bulawayo in seven weeks time, a few of them will be able to point out the part they played in making it happen.

"That's one of the best things about Matt getting his chance," said Moores, whose role as the county's director of cricket covers far more than just the first team.

"He's been in our system for 11 years and a lot of coaches have helped in his development during that time. They can all feel pride in what he's achieved and I know Matt appreciates the help people have given him along the way."