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G-lovely chance for Ambrose

Image: Ambrose: Back in England's team for Barbados Test

Tim Ambrose believes he has some "unfinished business" with England ahead of his return to the Test team in Barbados.

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Wicketkeeper would have no problems batting at six in Barbados

Tim Ambrose believes he has some "unfinished business" with England as he prepares to make his return to the Test team in Barbados. The wicketkeeper will take over behind the stumps for the fourth Test against the West Indies due to the absence of Matt Prior, who has returned home following the birth of his first child. Prior, who had originally been due to leave the tour on March 2, is hopeful he will be back with the squad for the fifth and final Test of the series. However, Ambrose, who always knew he would play at least one Test, is hoping to make the most of his opportunity.

Desperate

"It is just one game at the moment," said Ambrose. "I've been told that Matt has gone back and I've got this match to try and get us back into the series. "I don't know anything that will happen beyond this match as far as the team goes, but I know that Matt will be back in time for the Trinidad Test. "Like anyone who has been in the England side and had a taste of the top level and then gets left out, you're desperate to get back in. "You go away and work on the things you feel you need to improve on to get you back and that is what I've been doing in the time I've had out. "At my age (26) and at my stage of my career I think there is some unfinished business with England and I'd like to try and push on with that." Ambrose is no stranger to taking the place of Prior, having been picked ahead of his former Sussex team-mate for last year's tour to New Zealand. The New South Wales-born right-hander hit a maiden Test century against the Black Caps but then struggled in the home series against the Proteas. "There isn't much time to feel sorry for yourself in this game and life goes on," said Ambrose about being dropped. "I was pleased with my performances in my first stint as England wicketkeeper although I'd like to have contributed a bit more in the series with South Africa because that was such an important series for us. "It was very disappointing not to come out on top in that one and I wanted to contribute more." Prior's absence, coupled with Andrew Flintoff being ruled out with a hip injury picked up in the drawn match in Antigua, means England will have a new-look line-up at the Kensington Oval on Thursday. Ravi Bopara and Ian Bell appear to be battling it out to bat at six, though Ambrose insists he wouldn't have a problem batting there, a move which would allow the selectors to continue with a five-man bowling attack.
Top six
"Certainly if they asked me," Ambrose answered when asked about the possibility of batting in the top six. "Just to get into the XI for England is my aim, so any job they ask me to do I'll only be too happy to give it everything I've got. "It is a chance to help win a game for England and that is what we're here for. We've got a series to win and we're 1-0 behind so we have to get back into it in this game. "It is a chance for me to contribute towards winning a Test match." Ambrose showed off his talents with the bat on the opening day of the fixture against a Barbados Cricket Association President's XI, hitting 74 in his first England appearance of the winter.

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