Ambrose must deliver after Prior's dash home

Tim Ambrose saved England a year ago but the wicketkeeper will be trying to revive his own international hopes, as well of those of his team, in Barbados on Thursday.

Ambrose's century against New Zealand in Wellington last winter went a long way towards levelling a Test series which was then won in Napier. It also seemed to signal a long reign as No1 gloveman for the Warwickshire man. A poor summer against South Africa saw Ambrose hand his place back to Matt Prior, however, and even his role as first reserve is under pressure from Steven Davies, who has been preferred as back-up for next month's one-day series in West Indies.

But this week, Prior's dash home to be with his wife and new-born son gives Ambrose a chance the 26-year-old needs to take with both gloves.

"At my age and this stage of my career I think there is some unfinished business with England and I'd like to try to push on with that," said Ambrose. "Like anyone who has been in the England side and had a taste of the top level and then gets left out, you're desperate to get back in.

"You go away and work on the things you feel you need to improve on to get back and that is what I've been doing."