11:29pm Wednesday 8th July 2009
By Bruce Talbot
Matt Prior made a half-century in his first match against Australia and drew comparisons with Adam Gilchrist as the opening skirmishes in the Ashes battle ended with honours even.
The 27-year-old Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman hit 56 off just 62 balls to lead a fight back with Andrew Flintoff, with whom he added 86 in 17 overs on the first day of the first Test in Cardiff.
Prior was bowled by an in swinger from Peter Siddle just before the close after hitting six boundaries in his 11th half-century in what is his 19th Test match.
It certainly caught the eye of Kevin Pietersen, who top-scored with 69 as England closed the first day on 336-7from 90 overs.
Pietersen said: “That’s what we want from our wicketkeeper-batsman. It was a Gilchrist-type innings, it was a fantastic knock which took the game away from the Australian bowlers.
“He played positively, attacked their bowlers and hit the new ball hard.”
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