Analysis, first Test, day two: England 553-5 (bad light stopped play)

We've just started the summer of cricket, which must mean it's the time for hyperbole. Let us salute Matt Prior as the solution to all England's wicketkeeping ills.

All joking aside - and it's difficult to joke about the subject when you've spent the last year refereeing disputes about Jones v Read - this was a very special Test debut from the young man today. He finished the day on 126 - the first England wicketkeeper ever to make a century on his first start.

His runs came off just 128 deliveries, and he was supported at the other end by Ian Bell, who quietly but assuredly snuck his way to his own hundred.

Combined with Paul Collingwood, who fell on Nelson, and Ali Cook's contribution of 105, by my maths that makes four England players who have passed the magic three-figure mark in this innings - the first time that's happened since 1938, when Barnett, Hutton, Paynter and Compton secured their tons against Australia at Trent Bridge.

Had it not been for bad light forcing the umpires' hands, I suspect Andrew Strauss would have liked to have declared after Prior and Bell had passed their milestones, and given Steve Harmison chance to hit the Windies openers at the end of the day. As it is, the declaration should follow in the morning, and then we'll see whether Prior's keeping is up to Test scratch as well. [Carrie Dunn] [Image: Getty]