Matt Prior might not be ready to swap his wicketkeeping gloves for a bicycle full time just yet.
But the next time we see him involved in competitive sport in the UAE it could be as part of professional cycling rather than as an England cricketer.
Prior is on his way back from long-term injury. He still hopes for a return behind the stumps in the England side, who are scheduled to face Pakistan in the UAE next year.
Rather than being in Sri Lanka as part of England’s losing one-day team, though, Prior is in Dubai to meet with potential backers for his new pro cycling team.
Eye on Dubai
Prior is the co-founder of One Pro Cycling. The new team will enter professional competition next year, two tiers below World Tour level.
He hopes to be competing against the likes of Team Sky within five years and is eyeing the UAE’s premier cycling event.
“We are very keen to get into the Dubai cycling market,” Prior said, speaking at The Sevens cricket ground on Wednesday. “One day we would like to be part of the Dubai Tour.”
Achilles wheel
His interest in cycling arose because of necessity rather than choice.
Three years ago he suffered from injuries to his Achilles. That inhibited running, so to keep fit he got on the bike instead.
“I became pretty passionate about it and got involved in the cycling world a little more,” he said.
“Every cloud has a silver lining and [being injured again in 2014] meant I had time to put into this.”
Still a cricketer
Prior is nearly 33. Jos Buttler, his successor as wicketkeeper for England, is looking increasingly established in the role.
So he would be justified to be looking towards his post-cricket contingency plan.
However, Prior says his cycling venture will not detract from his day job.
“It was a bit of a worry but I wanted to make very clear that I am still very determined to play cricket again,” he said.
Expert analysis
Cycling is not his only future option. He has also had a go at punditry, providing studio analysis for Sky Sports on five of England’s seven one-day internationals in Sri Lanka.
He admits he struggled to be critical of players who are still his close mates, though.
“It is tricky because I have spent the last eight years with these guys,” he said.
“It would be wrong to start abusing them now, but I have always been very honest. Rather than say ‘that was rubbish,’ I try to explain why that shot was played.”
On Cook
So, Alastair Cook? His time is up as England’s one-day captain, surely?
“We don’t know what is going on on the inside and there will be reasons they are sticking with Alastair,” Prior said.
“There his no doubt he is quality, he will come round again and the wickets in Australia [where the World Cup will be played in February and March] will suit him.”
pradley@thenational.ae
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