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[MJB3]

Would Prior get in the test team purely as a batsman at 6? I certainly think so. His gloves have improved dramatically since a few horror series 3/4 years ago.

Is Prior the best in the world currently? Between himself and De Villiers, who I think is growing into the role very well, as Prior did as both are Batsman-Keepers.

I don't think Prior is quite at Gillys level yet, Gilchrist kept to Warne for 100's of overs, won many games with the bat including a World Cup Final. He may be the nearest thing we've seen, but some peoples memories are very short.

[mally777]

Gilly wins it for me hands down mate. Much better keeper (kept really well to the likes of Warne, to Lee and Tait), and a genuine match-winner with the bat. Don't think Prior is near him in either category. AB is getting there, and the only other one I thought was close was Sangakarra.

[PedalsMcgrew]

AB needs to be the best keeper in SA before you start putting him up next to the great man....

[cricketbadger]

AB has an extremely long way to go with regards to his keeping before he should be mentioned in this thread

[tushar sehgal]

There is no comparison between Gilly and Prior right now but nothing says Prior couldn't reach that level. He has gotten better and I think its a shame to have Kieswetter in and not Prior for ODI/T-20, Prior just looks a better batsman where as Keiswetter looks like a IPL bred slogger...

[Tail Ender]

I know you Brits are prone to hyperbole, but come on! This is a silly discussion. Gilchrist revolutionised the role of a wicketkeeper and changed the face of cricket. After Gilly came along every nation wanted their own Gilly. I don't see too many nations now saying "we need our own Matt Prior"

[Buzz]

I know you Brits are prone to hyperbole, but come on! This is a silly discussion. Gilchrist revolutionised the role of a wicketkeeper and changed the face of cricket. After Gilly came along every nation wanted their own Gilly. I don't see too many nations now saying "we need our own Matt Prior"

Firstly - I should lay down my position as a huge Matt Prior fan, I think he is a world class keeper and good enough to get in most test teams purely as a batsman.

However, he only plays cricket in one form of the game and hasn't had the career record of Gilchrist who is a shoe in for keeper in the greatest of all time team.

So Prior fantastic yes, the best around playing today, probably. Better than Adam Gilchrist... close-ish, but no cigar for me.

[FvanN]

Love Prior and think he is class but not quite gillys...

[ajmw89]

The only other keeper that could be said to be the same class as gilly is sangakarra, although he no longer keeps... Prior is the best at the moment but nowhere near gilly.

[petehosk]

Gilly is a Legend! He was awesome behind the stumps and in front of them! 
As stated earlier, Prior is a quality bat with an excellent Test average of 42 from 59 matches, which is World Class by any standard. Where he has improved is with the gloves!
I rate him as the best Test keeper/batsman at the moment and his form over the past 2 years (with bat and gloves) has been excellent and probably should have earned him a go in all other formats.

If Gilly hadn't of rewrote the book on what a keeper should be, we would probably have Foster behind the stumps for England!  Nothing wrong with Foster - his batting would not be the best at International level but I rate him as the best gloveman full stop!!!

Gilly - There are better batsmen (Sanga) and better keepers (Foster) but better keeper/batsmen/cricketer? Not yet...and not likely for a long while either!!

[Tumo]

The only other keeper that could be said to be the same class as gilly is sangakarra, although he no longer keeps... Prior is the best at the moment but nowhere near gilly.

Not Sanga, only averaged 40 with the bat when he kept, as opposed to nearly 70 when he didn't (not saying 40 isn't good, but I'd rather him in as a batsman alone and Prasanna Jayawardene in as the keeper!). Andy Flower was in the same class, perhaps even greater, than Gilly. Averaged 50+, the only class batsman in a poor side so had to score all the runs, and then never got to face the Zimbabwe popgun attack! That 199 and 142 against South Africa was just incredible! Oh, and he'd be in my side because he's got bigger nads than just about anyone on the planet, standing up against a tyrannical dictator. That's the sort of man I want in my side.

[procricket]

I know you Brits are prone to hyperbole, but come on! This is a silly discussion. Gilchrist revolutionised the role of a wicketkeeper and changed the face of cricket. After Gilly came along every nation wanted their own Gilly. I don't see too many nations now saying "we need our own Matt Prior"

Right now I bet most would bar possibly the proteas

[ajmw89]

Not Sanga, only averaged 40 with the bat when he kept, as opposed to nearly 70 when he didn't (not saying 40 isn't good, but I'd rather him in as a batsman alone and Prasanna Jayawardene in as the keeper!). Andy Flower was in the same class, perhaps even greater, than Gilly. Averaged 50+, the only class batsman in a poor side so had to score all the runs, and then never got to face the Zimbabwe popgun attack! That 199 and 142 against South Africa was just incredible! Oh, and he'd be in my side because he's got bigger nads than just about anyone on the planet, standing up against a tyrannical dictator. That's the sort of man I want in my side.

Inclined to agree there.  If there was one guy you'd want beside you in the trenches, it'd be him

[ammo]

Gilly is the greatest Keper Batsman ever in my opinion, is batting was versatile and world class and not to mention dangerous have never seen such a clean striker of the ball, his keeping extraordinary he was so consisant with the gloves and still is (not too shabby with the bat either).

Prior he is very good, the best in the world at the moment (keeper/batsman), but you cannot compare him to Gilly watching him play when in form was something special.

[trypewriter]

Gilly is the greatest Keper Batsman ever in my opinionl.

Clyde Walcott?