Matt Prior has revealed how his hard work this winter has helped him enjoy a superb start to the season and put himself back in the frame for further England recognition.

The Sussex wicketkeeper was dropped after the pre-Christmas tour to Sri Lanka and was left with a vacant three months while England were in New Zealand.

He used that time to good effect and after scoring a century and three 50s in four first-class innings at the start of the season, hit a determined 47 today to help England Lions secure a 282-run lead over New Zealand by reaching 275 for five at the close of the third day at the Rose Bowl.

"I suddenly found myself with three months and nothing to do, which probably hasn't happened for five or six years," said Prior, who hit six fours in his 79-ball innings.

"I had a lot of time on my hands and I looked at how best to use the three months.

"I feel I got everything I wanted to get out of it and that's probably shown in the way I've started the season.

"It's a huge disappointment when you're left out but there are two routes and you can either knuckle down, work harder and look at the areas you want to improve on, or sit down and feel sorry for yourself and I wasn't prepared to do the second one.

"I've tried to work as hard as possible on areas I thought needed improving and I'm happy with the way things are going at the moment."

That form earned him a call-up to the current Lions' match against the tourists and at least encouraged him he was still in the frame, which was underlined by coach Peter Moores after the pair had a long chat following the first day.

Prior added: "It's always a privilege to be included in any England team and I was really happy when I got the phone call to come and play in this game.

"It's also brilliant to play against the best cricketers in the world. When I played for England that's what I really enjoyed. The one thing I really loved was being in pressure situations against the best in the world because you're testing yourself out."

He was also a close witness to one of the more bizarre cricket injuries during the day with opener Michael Carberry having to be carried off after apparently injuring himself leaping in the air to celebrate a determined century.

Carberry clutched his right leg as soon as he landed, but after treatment for cramp from the England medical team it was confirmed he would be able to field for tomorrow's final day.

"You know from playing with guys about who needs to drink a bit more water and who can get away with not having to drink so much and we know that he's a renowned cramper," added Prior.

"That leap in the air as a celebration was one too many, I think.

"I went to shake his hand and he was falling on the ground. I get cramp as well and I know how painful it is so once he was down I knew it wasn't looking good.

"He played brilliantly and I'm sure he's absolutely elated. It looks a docile pitch but there's still something in there and the odd ball leaps and nips around so he had to go out there, get stuck in and he's worked very hard for that hundred."

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