Matt Prior has delivered a damning verdict on England 's batting after the top-order collapsed yet again in the third Test against the West Indies in Grenada.
Having slumped to 67-7 in their first innings with only one frontline batter, Alex Lees, reaching double figures, England were rescued by their lower-order. In the end, a crucial last-wicket partnership between Jack Leach and Saqib Mahmood saw them make 204.
In response, the West Indies posted a first innings total of 297 and England collapsed again in their second innings. They lost four early wickets and were reduced to 39-4 when Ben Stokes became Kyle Mayers' third victim.
It left England 39-4 and 54 runs behind the hosts, with Joe Root's side staring down the barrel of a series defeat. And Prior was hugely critical of England's batters, labelling them 'not good enough'.
Speaking while on commentary for talkSPORT, Prior said: "It's a real tough one because I'm one of England's biggest fans and whenever I come on I want to be positive and look at the way they're going to win the game. But I really believe with where we are at right now we have to be honest and the players just aren't good enough.
"We know the batting has been an issue for a long time and technically they're just not capable."
Former England captain Michael Vaughan also questioned England's mental strength, suggesting that "the pressure has got to them". He told BT Sport: "Excellent from Kyle Mayers who has just got it wobbling about. Not loads, but enough.
"Mentally England's players are not good enough. The pressure has got to them."
Ex-England batter Jonathan Trott added: It hasn't gone England's way. It's been good bowling but there's a few batters wondering about their shot selection and wishing they could go again."
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