Sky Sports - England in Australia

He not be first choice in one-day cricket right now, but there's no doubting that Matt Prior is the man in possession of England's wicketkeeping role for the Ashes.

Born in Johannesburg, the 27-year-old represented England at youth levels before making his first full appearance in a one-dayer against Zimbabwe in 2004.

In the early stages of his international career the Sussex player was often used as a batsman only - making good starts in several one-day appearances only to perish before reaching 50.

Having for so long looked to find a replacement for Alec Stewart, England finally gave Prior a go in Test cricket against the West Indies at Lord's in 2007.

He responded to the opportunity with a sparkling century on debut but while the runs continued to flow, the errors in his other frontline role led to him being dropped after a difficult tour to Sri Lanka.

After seeing former county colleague Tim Ambrose, a man who he had previously shared keeping duties with at Hove, get a go, Prior was recalled in the winter of 2008 for the tour of India.

Since then he has become a mainstay at number seven in the order, only missing a Test during the 2009 tour of the West Indies so he could return home to be at the birth of his first child.

It spoke volumes of the selectors' faith in his ability that he came right back into the team for the fifth and final Test, despite understudy Ambrose having hit 76 not out in his absence.

His glovework has improved out of sight but not to the detriment of his more natural batting abilities - Prior still averages 42.13 in Test cricket.

With a liking for flashing cuts and drives square of the wicket, the right-hander should find Australian pitches suit him down to the ground.