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It wasn't an easy start to International cricket for Matt Prior. It was Peter Moores who gave him his Test debut for the 2007 West Indies series where he promptly scored a century on debut.

But a bit later on that year after England's series against India, he was so heavily criticised by so many, including Ian Chappell, that he had to see a psychologist to try and get past the mental demons that criticism had put in his head.

His wicket-keeping was regularly criticised as being not good enough for the Test arena and he was dropped by England for the 2008 tour of New Zealand. That hit him hard and he went away to work with Bruce French on his keeping. He returned to the side for the India tour in late 2008 and England fans will forever be grateful to Peter Moores and the selectors for that decision.

His brilliant century in Auckland to save the series showed another side of Prior. He's known for his explosive counter-brilliance but that was an innings of defiance, determination and performance under pressure. He has become the world's best Test match wicket-keeper batsman.

(Image: Getty)

Time and time again he produces the sort of innings required in the situation and this leads to many calling for him to move up the order into the seemingly always up-for-grabs number six slot. And, of course, he would be great in that position, he would do very well but should he move up?

No.

Number 7 is a specialist position. A position that needs a man who can shepherd the tail whilst firing quick runs himself or battling it out as he did in Auckland. He is settled and performing at number 7 and as ever, if it ain't broke let's not try and fix it.

There are increasingly loud calls for Prior to be returned to the limited overs side too and given his development since he was last in the one-day side, he would probably be successful.

However, he was given a decent run in the one-day side and never settled into it, why would England want to run the risk of the added pressures of one-day cricket having an adverse effect on his Test form?

And with the relentless international schedules, England need to try and preserve him, he need some rest time, wicket keeping isn't an easy job either physically or mentally. The problem of who is the best one-day wicket-keeper batsman for the job rumbles on but England shouldn't think about returning Prior to the side. He is best left where he is, batting at 7 and doing exactly what he is doing.

Perhaps now we are learning to appreciate just how valuable Prior is to this England team. His wicket-keeping has improved beyond all measure over the last few years - so much so that on the rare occasions he makes a mistake we are really surprised by it.

His batting statistics speak for themselves. He has just moved into the top 10 ICC ranked Test batsmen (Cook is the only other Englishman in the top 10 currently). He is averaging just over 45 and has made a score of over 50 in 6 of his last 18 innings.

But it's not just what he gives with the gloves and the bat that makes him an integral part of Team England. As wicket keeper, he's the man to give out all the on field encouragement, he has an amazing ability to keep the team's heads up without the incessant yapping you hear from many wicket-keepers.

(Image: AFP)

He is also invaluable to Alastair Cook when it comes to advice on field placings, bowling changes and indeed whether to use a referral through the DRS - it was absolutely the right decision to appoint him vice-captain.

Indeed, he could easily have taken on the captaincy role after Strauss's retirement as some were suggesting he should have. Cook was the natural replacement and although he had a quiet NZ tour, he remains the man for the job but he knows that Prior is there to bounce ideas off.

But it's not even just that, Prior has grown into a man who can be an integral part of the leadership team. Let's not forget, he was the man who in the midst of the 2012 Kevin Pietersen furore picked up the phone, like a sensible adult, and tried to sort out the situation.

Prior is pragmatic, positive and thoughtful - he is good with the media and equally good with the younger players in the team. A man they can really turn to for both advice and some light-hearted humour when that is required.

It's taken a while for Prior to get the plaudits he deserves but as we head into back-to-back Ashes series, we should be keeping our fingers crossed that he doesn't get injured (because it's not clear who the obvious replacement would be) and appreciate what a fantastic talent he is and just how important he is to England.