New dad Prior flies home, misses 4th Test

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has flown home after his wife gave birth to their first child on Sunday. 

The wicketkeeper/batsman received the news at 0430 local time that his wife had given birth to a baby boy. 

Prior had already said he would return home after the fourth Test but his wife, Emily, gave birth earlier than the expected date of March 2. 

Tim Ambrose will don the wicketkeeper’s gloves in the fourth Test against the West Indies starting on Thursday. Ambrose had earlier replaced prior for 10 Tests in 2007. 

Prior, who has been one of the most successful batsmen for England in the series, is expected to return back in time for the final Test in Trinidad. 

The England and Wales Cricket Board said on Monday that Prior flew home after hearing news that he had a son and back-up wicketkeeper Ambrose would start against the West Indies. 

England is 1-0 down in the five-match series and the fourth Test starts at Bridgetown on Thursday. 

All-rounder Andrew Flintoff also misses that game because of a muscle strain in his right hip. 

Ravi Bopara and Amjad Khan had earlier been called in as replacements for Flintoff and both players got off to impressive starts in the warm-up match, further putting the selectors in a dilemma as to who will make the starting eleven on Thursday. 

Fast bowler Amjad Khan claimed 5-79 and Bopara smashed 124 runs off 125 balls with 17 boundaries and three sixes against BCA President’s XI.

AP with Sportz Interactive inputs
Tuesday, February 24, 2009 10:20:26 AM