Recalled Prior keen to prove his point with bat

Prior was the surprise selection in Wednesday's 15-man squad when, despite having not played a one-day international for almost a year, he was named ahead of fellow wicketkeeper Steven Davies.

The Ashes winner flew to Hobart to rejoin the squad yesterday and is set to go straight into the team for today's second match of the series against Australia.

He is also set to take over Davies's vacated place at the top of the order – a position he has not filled for England since November 2008.

But the right-hander believes the role is best suited to his hard-hitting style and is looking forward to facing the new ball alongside captain Andrew Strauss.

"It's the role that I enjoy and one that I want to play in one-day cricket," he said. "I think Strauss and I will form a pretty good partnership.

"We get on very well and run well between the wickets so hopefully we can get the team off to a good start."

Prior was used at the top of England's order in 27 of his first 29 one-day internationals, but enjoyed only moderate success averaging 25.08.

However, the 28-year-old, who has made a total of 55 ODI appearances, believes the experience he has gained since then will ensure a better return.

"I think my batting has come along a huge amount," he added.

"I think I'm a very different player to the guy that opened the batting for England in one-day cricket however many years ago. I always seem to get off to good starts, so it was probably just having that experience that I didn't have at the time to then go on and make that match-winning score.

"You look at Shane Watson in the last game getting 161 – it's a match-winning total.

"Those are the types of innings that all batsmen are looking to get and realising that their 40s, 50s and 60s don't win games."

Prior admitted he did feel for his fellow gloveman Davies, who returns to the role of reserve after also filling that position during this winter's historic Ashes success.

"Davies and I have worked a lot together, we're in the wicketkeepers' union and we have been on this whole trip," he said.

"We go a long way back and we've worked together.

"I think we both know that we are both pushing for places and that we are pushing for the same place.

"All you can do is work your best and try your best to perform and whoever gets the nod on the day, fair play to them."

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