England wicketkeeper Matt Prior. Photo /Getty Images
England were staring down the barrel. It seemed plain daft, therefore, that they should turn another on themselves.
But then most of the decisions they have made in this series, perhaps from the moment the squad was picked, have been defective in some way or other. It was the start
of Australia's second innings on Saturday and England thought it a smart idea to sledge David Warner.
Ian Bell, from short leg, was having a word, Matt Prior, from behind the wicket, could not resist adding his tuppeneth. In fairness to Prior, his splendid wicketkeeping over the years has been buttressed by sledging - it is all part of his game.
But for now he is not speaking from a position of strength. His keeping yesterday joined his batting as downright dreadful. When Warner was 13, Prior missed a stumping when a lifting ball went through his gloves. Another eluded him with Warner on 89. He twice let four byes through. Button it, Matty.
Warner duly reached a bludgeoning hundred and being the kind of chap he is, he ran extremely close to Prior and let him know how he felt about it. Prior had no response.
