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Abu Dhabi: It was only last May that the Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior announced his arrival on the international scene with an unbeaten 126 on debut against the West Indies. Less than a year later, the dashing player is back to his county chores while county colleague Tim Ambrose is donning the England camp.
The out-of-favour star is working hard to make a comeback and has resorted to the most unusual means for this - kung fu.
Now in Abu Dhabi with Sussex for the Arch Trophy, the South Africa-born player said: "It was the first time in about 6-7 years that I had taken such a long break of three months and it has helped," Prior told Gulf News yesterday during nets at the Zayed International Cricket Stadium.
"During my stint with the England A team, we had some sessions in judo and I found the benefits were fantastic. I decided to do something different and over the last 12 weeks, I have had weekly one-to-one sessions with a kung fu instructor."
"The benefits have been incredible. It not only increases your reflexes but the strength, power and conditioning. The benefits are really fantastic," he said.
Keeping is the area which the Sussex star is trying to focus at. "My batting was okay, but it was my keeping which needed improvement. Though I kept well, it was only about 80 per cent. I want to be more consistent and I am working hard towards it," he said.
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