Sussex coach Mark Robinson has urged Matt Prior to heap more pressure on his friend Tim Ambrose in the best way possible - by scoring a mountain of runs.

Prior can strengthen his claims for a recall to the England side with a big score in Sussex's Friend's Provident Trophy clash with Essex at Hastings.

The 26-year-old wicketkeeper lost his place in the Test side to his former Sussex colleague Ambrose for the tour to New Zealand in the winter but has impressed the selectors on his return to the county circuit.

Ambrose made a century in New Zealand but has struggled with the bat since, making just 50 runs in his last five innnings. He was out for a duck in the opening Test of the summer at Lord's last week and failed again at Old Trafford when he scored just three.

In contrast Prior -who played ten Tests last year - has scored more runs than anyone else so far this summer and will be looking to add to his impressive tally of 582 in 11 innings at Horntye Park.

Sussex cannot progress to the knockout stages of the competition as a result of their rained off game against Middlesex but Robinson insists there is still a lot at stake, especially for Prior.

Robinson said: "Every time you go out on the pitch it is an opportunity to impress and Matt has the incentive of wanting to get back in the England side.

"All he can do is keep scoring runs and keeping well and if he does that his chance will come around again sooner or later.

"It is the same with Luke Wright, although I think he has a bit more work to do to be considered for the Test side."