Prior tipped to return

Prior paid the price for his costly errors in Sri Lanka and has been replaced by uncapped Tim Ambrose, who will now compete for a place behind the stumps with Phil Mustard - who kept wicket and opened the batting in England's one-day series in Sri Lanka.

"I'm sure Matt will be back," said Graveney. "He's proven he can play at that level but we have to improve our ratio of taking chances. It's been a well-discussed area since Alec Stewart retired. We felt as well as Matt Prior batted there are areas of his wicketkeeping that need working on."

Andrew Strauss was recalled to bolster the batting at the expense of Ravi Bopara for a three-Test series where England will be under pressure to perform.

"The message is clear from the selectors to all the senior players - this is the time to deliver," said Graveney.

"We haven't had enough hundreds and we need to be bowling people out. Matt and Ravi have been left out but we haven't made major alterations.

"We have to get back to winning ways but we need senior players to stand up and perform."

The wicketkeeper's role was the main issue for Graveney and England's selectors, with Prior and Ambrose going head to head as they did at Sussex.

The pair were rivals at Hove before Ambrose moved to Warwickshire at the end of the 2005 season, where he is now first choice.

James Foster and Chris Read were also considered for the New Zealand Tests but selectors have gone for an uncapped pair in Ambrose and Mustard.