A vote of confidence from Peter Moores was probably the least Matt Prior deserved ahead of England's tour to Sri Lanka.

Prior missed the confidence-building one-day series win there last month after the England coach broke Prior's thumb at a training session during the Twenty20 World Cup in September.

Ahead of tomorrow's tour opener in Colombo, Moores declared that the 25-year-old Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman is still England's first choice.

Moores said: "A lot was said and written about Matt during our summer but you can't get away from the fact that he averages just under 40.

"Keeping-wise he went through a journey but he ended the series in India well and is in possession of the shirt."

Prior is happy to have the backing of the England coach but knows it will count for little over the next six weeks if he does not perform in the three-match Test series, which starts in Kandy on December 1.

But the omens are good.

On his last trip to Sri Lanka with England A in 2005 he scored two hundreds, topped the batting averages and impressed with his glovework on the low, slow pitches England will encounter again this time.

He also plays spin well, although it will be only the second time in his career that he will have faced Muttiah Murilathran who expects to break Shane Warne's record of Test match wickets during the series.

Prior arrived in Colombo on Thursday refreshed in body and mind after his first extended rest since he broke into the Sussex side nearly seven years ago.

He said: "I only hit my first cricket ball for six weeks last Sunday, the injury has cleared up and I feel great. Even before I got into the England set-up I'd only ever have three weeks off at Sussex before I was back in the nets or in the gym.

"I even managed a holiday in Bali which was nice. I found the time away useful - a chance to reflect on last season, what I achieved and where I can improve.

"But it was great to be back with the squad again. Everyone worked hard over the three days we had at Loughborough. We all got a lot from the sessions and know what our roles are going to be in Sri Lanka."

What Prior must hope is that he can do his job without the intense scrutiny which he was subjected to during the second half of last summer.

After making a sensational hundred on his Test debut against West Indies, his form tailed off and he was soon suffering the same trial by media every England wicketkeeper seems to have endured since Alec Stewart retired.

Prior remains phlegmatic about the treatment he received but he will not lack motivation in Sri Lanka as he tries to end the ongoing debate about the wicketkeeper-batsman's position - at least for the time being.

"The criticism doesn't bother me. It is all part of international sport - you are constantly having to prove yourself," he said. "But I don't mind that. It was nice to hear the coach backing me - it means a lot. But the only thing which is going to keep me in the team are performances. I have to prove that I am worthy of his support."

In Prior'a absence, England gave Phil Mustard an opportunity in the one-day series against Sri Lanka and although the Durham man failed to convince he does have his supporters.

"I see Phil being on tour as a real positive," added Prior. "Whether it's Phil putting pressure on me or the rest of the squad my job doesn't change. But he's a great bloke and we gelled straight away at Loughborough before coming out here. I think we can get the best out of each other."

Whatever happens, 2007 has been the best year of Prior's career so far and he is determined to end it on a high. England won in Sri Lanka 2-1 under Nasser Hussain in 2001 and his performances there for the A team have instilled in him a belief that his first Test tour for his country can be a success.

"It's going to be extremely hard - they have some world-class players," he said. "But the environment in the squad is such that everyone will be pushing each other to get the best result we can.

"I've done well there before and I enjoy the demands the conditions place on you in terms of fitness and concentration levels. At the end of it, if I know I haven't let myself, my team-mates and my coach down it will have been a success."

l Dale Steyn ripped through the New Zealand batting line-up to help South Africa win the second Test by an innings and 59 runs at Centurion Park within three days.

The Proteas established a 195-run first-innings advantage earlier in the day and then skittled out the tourists for just 136.

Steyn claimed 6-49 to finish with match figures of 10-91, both personal bests in Test matches. The win gives South Africa a 2-0 series victory