Matt Prior

And the latest unwelcome news in the Guardian today Matt Prior’s England return likely to be delayed due to injury concerns
is that, according to Robinson, Prior will not keep against Middlesex and is 50/50 to play at all.“He’s not been ruled out, I can say that,” added Robinson. “So we’re still hopeful of him playing as a batsman. But it’s not a straightforward line. We might even leave it until the day of the game.”

This kind of announcement is becoming so regular that I wonder how serious this injury is, and whether the former strategy, announced as to keep him going this summer, pending an opertion in the autumn, is worth continuing. If his ankle isn't responding to whatever training and palliative measures are being applied, wouldn't it be better for him and perhaps lengthen his career to accept this season might be over, have his operation now, and give him the winter to get back to full health and mobility?

Not sure this interview with England selector Mick Newell is particularly good news for Prior's hopes of an England return:

"After what happened in the winter, the first Test against Sri Lanka is a massive game for England and you have to go into that match with people who are 100 per cent fit. You don't want to be worrying about injuries or managing fitness. The 'keeper situation is massive. If you are going to have high-quality seam bowling you want to have a good man behind the pegs. There are two camps of keeper - there is the Kieswetter, Buttler, Bairstow group and there is the Foster, Read group, more the old-school wicketkeeper. I watched Foster last week and he was terrific. There will be an interesting debate there. What has come out of the winter is a complete rethink with five, six, seven spots up for grabs, which is a bit scary but exciting at the same time."

I'm impressed that Newell went to see Foster at first-hand. He must have used a rare day off when Notts weren't playing to go and see Essex, so he's clearly taking his England role very  seriously.

Yes.  I'm sick of it personally.  If you don't know if someone is fit, they ain't fit.  Prior should be nowhere near the England team at the moment. 

Oh dear - according to Cricinfo, Prior lost the match when he fluffed the opportunity to dismiss Glamorgan's match-winner:

"The missed stumping off Cooke when he was on 13 was not one for the highlights reel. It was probably the moment that lost Sussex this match."

www.espncricinfo.com/county-cricket-2014/content/current/story/748905.html

I make it about 2.58mm the second time

Prior gone - standing down from all cricket for the rest of the season.

A great England career over. Well played, Matt. I hope we get a chance to say a proper goodbye to him at Sussex, but I suspect he will never play f/c cricket again.

Such a shame his career had to end like this when he has been so good for England, only a year or so back he was regularly rescuing England from disaster. It's almost as though all those heroics wore him out. Glad he has been decisive, a lesson there for Cook methinks. Hope he has a good rest then comes back for Sussex as a batsman, he is only 32 and that's a long retirement in prospect.