From The Sun
SHANE WARNE has told England to drop Matt Prior — before he drops £10million.
Kevin Pietersen’s side have the chance to make themselves dollar millionaires in the Stanford Twenty20 thrash on November 1.
The winner-takes-all match was given the green light on Thursday after compromise was reached in the row over sponsorship rights.
With that hurdle overcome, all eyes now switch to the players — and, in particular, Prior in the unenviable position of wicketkeeper.
One dropped catch or missed stumping could see his team-mates deprived of £570,000 each.
In his own glittering career, Australia spinner Warne was able to rely on two of the game’s greatest glovemen in Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist.
Lost art
It was the latter who revolutionised the position, smashing more than 15,000 international runs and changing the course of countless games.
Since Gilchrist broke on to the scene in 1996, England have tried desperately to find their own clone, playing musical chairs with six candidates.
But Warne believes that policy could cost England big matches and even bigger money.
He told SunSport: “Every team wants a Gilchrist — someone who can bat like one of the best in the world while also keeping wicket well.
“But a wicketkeeper should be able to keep wicket first and foremost — runs with the bat are a bonus.
“For me, the wicketkeeping art is being lost.
“These days it’s simply a case that if they can bat, they will get picked.
“When I see Matthew Prior in the team I think ‘Are you serious?’
“OK he can slog a few at the top of the order with the bat.
“But if I’m Steve Harmison or Andrew Flintoff and you get a top batsman to edge one, I’d be holding my breath to see if he catches it. He is that bad.”
Warne’s recent visit to London to promote his new book has prompted rumours he may be set to answer an Ashes SOS call next summer.
The legendary leggie has yet to be replaced by the Aussies, who went into their current Test against India with just one part-time spinner.
But any talk of a dramatic turnaround have been scotched by the 39-year-old — even if he refuses to rule out a return completely.
Warne said: “When I retired last year I felt I did it with a bit of class — on my own terms and after a 5-0 whitewash of England.
“I probably would have packed it in after the 2005 Ashes if we’d won.
“But it wasn’t to be and that made me more hungry. I said I wanted them back in Australia when I packed it in.
“But I will never say ‘Never’. If every Australian spinner broke down injured, yes I’d have to assess any offer at the time.
"It’s all talk and at the moment I have absolutely no interest — I’m really happy with my life right now.”
SHANE WARNE has told England to drop Matt Prior — before he drops £10million.
Kevin Pietersen’s side have the chance to make themselves dollar millionaires in the Stanford Twenty20 thrash on November 1.
The winner-takes-all match was given the green light on Thursday after compromise was reached in the row over sponsorship rights.
With that hurdle overcome, all eyes now switch to the players — and, in particular, Prior in the unenviable position of wicketkeeper.
One dropped catch or missed stumping could see his team-mates deprived of £570,000 each.
In his own glittering career, Australia spinner Warne was able to rely on two of the game’s greatest glovemen in Ian Healy and Adam Gilchrist.
Lost art
It was the latter who revolutionised the position, smashing more than 15,000 international runs and changing the course of countless games.
Since Gilchrist broke on to the scene in 1996, England have tried desperately to find their own clone, playing musical chairs with six candidates.
But Warne believes that policy could cost England big matches and even bigger money.
He told SunSport: “Every team wants a Gilchrist — someone who can bat like one of the best in the world while also keeping wicket well.
“But a wicketkeeper should be able to keep wicket first and foremost — runs with the bat are a bonus.
“For me, the wicketkeeping art is being lost.
“These days it’s simply a case that if they can bat, they will get picked.
“When I see Matthew Prior in the team I think ‘Are you serious?’
“OK he can slog a few at the top of the order with the bat.
“But if I’m Steve Harmison or Andrew Flintoff and you get a top batsman to edge one, I’d be holding my breath to see if he catches it. He is that bad.”
Warne’s recent visit to London to promote his new book has prompted rumours he may be set to answer an Ashes SOS call next summer.
The legendary leggie has yet to be replaced by the Aussies, who went into their current Test against India with just one part-time spinner.
But any talk of a dramatic turnaround have been scotched by the 39-year-old — even if he refuses to rule out a return completely.
Warne said: “When I retired last year I felt I did it with a bit of class — on my own terms and after a 5-0 whitewash of England.
“I probably would have packed it in after the 2005 Ashes if we’d won.
“But it wasn’t to be and that made me more hungry. I said I wanted them back in Australia when I packed it in.
“But I will never say ‘Never’. If every Australian spinner broke down injured, yes I’d have to assess any offer at the time.
"It’s all talk and at the moment I have absolutely no interest — I’m really happy with my life right now.”
