Matt Prior recently fought off competition from the likes of Adam Gilchrist to take a place in Stuart Broad’s all-time world XI side and during the summer of 2010, Trent Bridge played host to one of his finest hours.

With England in the ascendancy after a first two days of dominance, Pakistan fought back in the early morning of day three at Trent Bridge.

Captain, Andrew Strauss (0) and his opening partner Alastair Cook (12) were both dismissed within the opening eight overs, whilst Jonathan Trott (26), Kevin Pietersen (22) and Paul Collingwood (1) all fell victim to Umar Gul, who had struck an unbeaten 65 for the tourists in their first innings.

The magnificent Prior though eventually diminished any faint hopes of a Pakistan fightback. Having entered play at 77-5, the Sussex wicketkeeper quickly began to put the visiting bowlers to the sword.

Despite seeing the first innings hero Eoin Morgan depart, Prior, helped by some cameos from Nottinghamshire pair Stuart Broad (24) and Graeme Swann (28), had the attending spectators on their feet for large periods of his three and a half hour spell at the crease.

And the wicketkeeper who was described by Broad as ‘the man who helped to change the England team into a winning environment’ would go onto record his third century in Test cricket, a know which included seven fours and two sixes.

Prior’s landmark, however, would signal the end of the England innings, Strauss deciding to declare with the score on 262-9 and a lead of 434.

By the end of the day, England had further increased their hold on the contest. A double from Broad and a Strauss slip catch off the bowling of Anderson reduced Pakistan to 15-3 by the close of the days play, leaving the hosts with a clear run to victory. 

 

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