Sussex head coach Mark Robinson has backed Matt Prior's decision to take a break from international cricket for the rest of the summer.
Despite agreeing with the choice made by the 32-year-old, who has been battling an Achilles problem for most of the season, Robinson believes that the criticism he has received from the media recently did make a difference.
"The media have hunted him mercilessly and made his position and Alastair Cook's job difficult for any player," Robinson told BBC Radio Sussex. "With Matt carrying injuries it probably got a bit too much, and he has done the right thing to pull himself out.
"Everybody scrutinises every move he does, it almost makes it impossible for him to do his job, as it is for the England captain. Every move they make is under enormous pressure."
Jos Buttler has been selected as Prior's replacement for the third Test, which begins on Sunday morning.
