Michael Atherton talks up Matt Prior's captaincy credentials

Former England captain Michael Atherton has sung the praises of wicketkeeper Matt Prior amidst the continued speculation over Andrew Strauss's captaincy.

Strauss's position as captain in the future has yet to be made official, despite the player himself revealing that he would continue.

Atherton has taken the opportunity to highlight Prior's leadership credentials should Strauss step down, highlighting Prior's phone call to Kevin Pietersen as an example.

"He did it selflessly for the team, much in the same way that he has always batted, putting the team's needs ahead of inflating his average," Atherton wrote in The Times.

Prior has played 58 Tests for England.