Prior Named England Player of Year

London: Matt Prior was named England cricketer-of-the-year for 2012/13, in an acknowledgement of the Sussex wicket-keeper's consistency with both bat & gloves.

The 31-year-old is now one of the first names on the team sheet after England captain Alastair Cook and the latest demonstration of his worth to the side came with his match-saving unbeaten hundred in the drawn third Test against New Zealand in Auckland in March.

Prior was presented with his award at Lord's, where the first of a return two-Test series against New Zealand starts on Thursday.

Prior, 31, the first wicketkeeper to win the award, hit a match-saving hundred in England's draw against New Zealand, and seven Test half-centuries.

Prior put success down to consistency over the year. "That's something I've worked very hard on," he said.

England bowler Katherine Brunt, who took 12 wickets in the World Cup, won the women's title for the third time.

She was chosen ahead of Holly Colvin, Charlotte Edwards and Sarah Taylor.

Prior was born in Johannesburg, South Africa, and plays for Sussex in the County Championship.

The right-handed batsman, who is in England's squad for Thursday's first Test against New Zealand at Lord's, is widely regarded as the best wicketkeeper-batsman in Test cricket.

He made his England debut against West Indies at Lord's in May 2007, scoring 126 not out in the first innings.

Prior played down suggestions that the New Zealand series is a warm-up for the Ashes which starts at Trent Bridge on 10 July.