Ex England wicketkeeper Matt Prior retires from cricket at the age of 33 due to injury

LONDON _ Former England wicketkeeper Matt Prior has retired from all professional cricket at the age of 33 because of injury.

Prior failed to recover full fitness after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon last year.

Prior played the last of his 79 test matches for England against India at Lord’s 11 months ago before announcing then he would need an extended break because of his heel problem.

Prior had hoped to return for the start of this season, but he now has decided against trying to make a comeback.

Prior, a member of three Ashes-winning teams against Australia, hit seven test centuries and was a renowned counter-attacking force in the England team which rose to No. 1 in the International Cricket Council rankings four years ago.