Prior: Nothing wrong with our training

England are adamant no connection can sensibly be drawn between their adventurous use of "down time" in Queenstown and their blip at the start of the first Test against New Zealand.

Expert pundits have questioned the wisdom of excursions such as England's canyon-swing in the mountainous tourist resort, with Geoff Boycott concerned about what he sensed might have been a 'holiday' atmosphere before the three-wicket defeat against a New Zealand XI at the Queenstown Event Centre.

Coach Andy Flower took issue with those suggestions on Monday, however, and wicketkeeper Matt Prior has now said: "No, it's got absolutely nothing to do with that. We pride ourselves on our preparation."

Prior echoed Flower's contention that a healthy and sensible mixture of work and play must be to the players' advantage on tour.

"I think it's very important to get it right between when you're relaxing and having your down time and when you're working," he said.

"When you're at the training ground, I think you'd agree - you've seen us train enough to know we work harder than most and we prepare as thoroughly as we possibly can.

"But it is important to have that down time as well."

Flower had earlier been at pains to make the same point.

"There's been a little bit of criticism that we had complacency or a little bit of a holiday camp, in Queenstown," he said. "I think it's inaccurate, because I encouraged the guys to get out and do different things.

"I think they should go out and experience the different culture we are lucky enough to immerse ourselves in on tour, and have these different experiences which are really exciting."