Prior intervention proves costly

Cricket:  Wicketkeeper Matt Prior let another chance to peg back India slip in England's must-win third Test at the Brit Oval…

Cricket: Wicketkeeper Matt Prior let another chance to peg back India slip in England's must-win third Test at the Brit Oval.

Prior, who dropped Sachin Tendulkar yesterday, fluffed another chance to allow VVS Laxman a life on the second morning.

Just as with yesterday's drop, when Tendulkar survived on 20, the unfortunate bowler was Ryan Sidebottom as a thick edge flew towards Andrew Strauss at first slip only for Prior to intervene with a despairing dive.

Prior's right glove deflected the ball to third man for four and allowed Laxman to move to 45.

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Moments later Laxman brought up his second half-century in as many Test innings from 65 balls but he failed to make England pay a heavy price for the reprieve.

Chris Tremlett found the edge of Laxman's bat in the 12th over of the morning to provide a straightforward dismissal and leave the Indians 354 for five.

Earlier Tendulkar, in what is likely to be his final Test in England, registered his slowest 50 for 10 years at this level in the second over of the morning.