Sussex reject replaces Sussex no1

Now that everyone has had time to mull over the England test squad to tour New Zealand, I thought it would be a good time to look at it.

The major shock is Matt Prior being dropped. I have to admit, I'm not totally against this decision, but a strange time to do it by the ECB. People were calling for his head after a dreadful series with the bat against India. He keeps his place. He bats well against Sri Lanka. But then gets dropped. Strange Indeed, but the decision has been put on his wicket-keeping ability, which is a bit of a change from the norm for the ECB.

Tim Ambrose spent countless years at Sussex as Prior's number two, never getting a look in, which forced him to move on to Warwickshire. The move has now paid off for him, as he replaces Prior for the tour to New Zealand. And Chairman of Selectors David Graveny has been quoted as saying he will be the wicket-keeper for the test series, ahead of Durham's Phil Mustard. Ambrose had a great season at Edgbaston while Prior was struggling to improve on his debut series against the West Indies.

As I said, I'm not totally against this move, despite it being a big shock. Prior let us down with his wicket-keeping too many times, and although his batting had it's moments, I never saw him as Mr Reliable. Having said this, I feel Ambrose could be another one in a long like of wicket-keepers to come and go. Hopefully I'm wrong, and he sets the world alight in New Zealand with his keeping and batting, but only time will tell.

Experience is a crucial factor in any side, just look at the Australians and Indians! But in Sri Lanka England didn't have the experience when it was needed, which has resulted in the recall of Andrew Strauss. A good move if you ask me, despite a shakey 12 months or so in International cricket, he's what we need at the top of the order, hopefully opening with Vaughan, with Cook moving to three.