Matt Prior had a dream debut as the England cricketer became the first wicketkeeper to hit a century on his Test debut against the West Indies at Lord’s.

The English batsmen sent the West Indies bowlers on a leather-hunt with four of them – Alastair Cook, Paul Collingwood, Ian Bell and Prior – hitting centuries as England amassed an imposing total of 553 for five.

It was a memorable match from the English batsmen’s point of view as it was for the first time since 1938 that four batsmen scored centuries in the same innings.

Prior’s sparkling knock also silenced his critics who had doubted his eligibility and raised questions about his selection. In fact, some people alleged that he got selected because of his proximity to England’s new coach Peter Moores.

Among the English batsmen, Collingwood was really lucky. He was dropped twice by the West Indian fielders and then Jerome Taylor struck him plumb in front of the wicket but Pakistani umpire Asad Rauf turned down the LBW appeal.

Collingwood eventually perished while trying to pull Corey Collymore and ballooning a catch at Jerome Taylor at fine leg.

Photo: The Guardian