Dropped more for his errors behind the stumps than his ability with the bat following the pre-Christmas tour to Sri Lanka, the Sussex wicketkeeper knows he faces a tough battle to regain his place following the success of Tim Ambrose in New Zealand.

But he maintained a successful start to the summer by hitting 47 to help England's Lions claim a 282-run lead by reaching 275 for five at the close of the third day.

Prior hit six boundaries in his 79-ball innings before falling to off-spinner Jeetan Patel, trapped lbw attempting a slog sweep, but did enough to catch the attention of watching selector James Whitaker and put his name forward for future selection.

The day had begun in frustrating fashion for the Lions, who had been expected to wrap up New Zealand's innings quickly at the start of the day when they resumed 19 runs adrift on 261 but Chris Martin resisted England's efforts for 45 minutes.

Lions captain Rob Key drove his side forward when they began their reply with a succession of boundaries, but fell lbw to all-rounder Jacob Oram just as lunch approached.

But opener Michael Carberry was determined not to allow New Zealand back into the match and resisted in painstaking fashion. He took 127 balls to reach his half-century, but once past the milestone appeared to open out and progressed from 50 to a hundred in just 57 balls, hitting 13 fours and a six on his way to three figures.

By then he had already lost Owais Shah and Ravi Bopara, who both fell to Martin, but in celebrating his century Carberry leapt in the air and came down clutching his right leg.

Minutes later he signalled for treatment and after the arrival of medical staff was eventually stretchered off the field knowing he had probably secured his place in history among cricket's most bizarre injuries.

Luke Wright attempted to give the innings fresh impetus following Carberry's undignified exit but was given lbw to seamer Tim Southee after hitting two fours and a six in his quickfire 15 before Prior fell Prior with his half-century in sight.



Copyright PA Sport 2008, All Rights Reserved