Friday 26 June 2015 17:42, UK
Matt Prior has urged England to focus on their own game and not become involved in an Ashes sledging battle with Australia.
The former Test wicketkeeper, who played in four Ashes series between 2009 and 2013, admits sledging – trying to get an advantage over an opponent, usually a batsman, through verbal insults – is largely a "dying art" in the sport.
Previous matches between the two teams have provided several high-profile examples of the tactic and although the protagonists involved are long since retired it remains a key part of the Aussies’ arsenal.
Prior feels any attempts by England to attempt to match that fire with some of their own would be a mistake and would only distract them from the successful formula which secured victory in an excellent one-day series against New Zealand.
“Sledging is a bit of a dying art in cricket,” Prior told Sky Sports News HQ. “With the stump mics and everything else that you have these days then it doesn’t happen as much.
“England as a team have never been that good at it either. You can get so concerned with trying to put the batsman off that you take the focus off your own game and executing your skills.
“If Jimmy Anderson bowls as well as he can do and concentrates solely on that, he will take Australian wickets.”
Even with the art of sledging in decline, Prior still feels Australia will attempt to use it to unsettle the England players but is confident they have the experience and mental strength to overcome any insults which go their way.
“Trying to gain an advantage is something that happens in sport but you’d hope to think that the England players at Test level will be experienced enough to deal with that,” he said.
“I would hope they would manage it well. The Aussies have started it already and it’s part of Ashes cricket, which is why people love it so much.
“I hope England don’t try to play the Australians at their own game and stick to their plans of what is going to give them the best opportunity to win.”
The first Investec Ashes Test is live from Cardiff on our dedicated Sky Sports Ashes channel from Wednesday July 8
