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Prior backs attack

Prior: We can take 20 wickets

14/08/2009 7:16 AM

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior is convinced Australia can be bowled out twice in the series-deciding fifth Ashes Test at The Oval next week.

While plenty of focus is falling on the selectors' choice of batsmen for the match, Prior has no doubt England has plenty of ammunition in the bowling department.

After losing the Headingley Test in embarrassing fashion, the onus is on England to deliver a much-improved performance in the final match of the series, which begins next Thursday.

Despite fears that the Oval pitch might favour batsmen on both sides, Prior has seen enough evidence from his privileged position behind the stumps to be confident England can tear through Australia's team twice in five days.

Prior said: "It's renowned as a pretty good batting wicket and we're going to have to take 20 wickets to win the game and win the Ashes."

"But the way the bowlers have bowled this series has been absolutely fantastic, from 'Fred' (Andrew Flintoff), to Jimmy Anderson, to Graham Onions, to Stuart Broad, Swanny (Graeme Swann), we know that we've got the unit and we've got the bowlers who can take 20 wickets and we'll be very confident."

Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, Prior would not be drawn on the question of who might feature in England's middle order.

"That would be up to the selectors to decide," he said. "But what I will say is that the 11 guys who go out next Thursday will be absolutely up for it."

"It's amazing to be 1-1 in an Ashes series, it's like having a final in a Test series, it's so exciting, and the whole country has been gripped by the Ashes and really got behind us."

"Those 11 guys who walk out at The Oval will be really pumped up."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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