Flower contemplating replacing Prior with Bairstow in Boxing Day Test

England wicketkeeper Matt Prior is reportedly facing a fight to keep his spot for the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with team director Andy Flower contemplating replacing Prior with wicketkeeper Jonny Bairstow, who has averaged 30.2 from 12 Tests.

Prior has been in poor form over the first three Ashes Tests, scoring just 107 runs at an average of 17.83 and fumbled a stumping chance that would have dismissed David Warner for 13 in the third Test at the WACA.

According to News.com.au, Flower said that it is a possibility that he may replace Prior with Bairstow at Melbourne as even though he has been an outstanding cricketer for England during a second phase of his English career, it is necessary to constantly review what England's best side will be with an eye to the future.

The report mentioned that spinner Graeme Swann is also under the pump after taking just seven wickets in three Tests, although with out-of-form spinner Monty Panesar the only like-for-like replacement, Swann might hold his spot by default.