England wicketkeeper-batsman Matt Prior is a glass-half-full kind of guy.
He knows his side will be under enormous pressure when its tour game against the New Zealand XI resumes in Queenstown this morning, and that is the way he likes it.
The tourist had the better of the first two days but came unstuck yesterday. The home side batted positively and declared at 349 for seven, 77 runs in arrears.
At stumps, England was 256 for nine and leads by 333 runs. Its lead might not be enough but Prior believes it is just the sort of challenge his side needs going into the test series.
''That is what you want from your warm-up games,'' he said.
''You want tough, challenging cricket. It is all well and good turning up and smacking 500 and bowling them out for 100 in both innings. I'm not sure that gets you anywhere.
''A day of tough cricket like we've had today has been brilliant for us.''
The challenge has been tougher for some than others. Batsmen Kevin Pietersen. Jonathan Trott and Nick Compton have not been able make a substantial contribution. England's powerful top five has looked almost human, and perhaps even vulnerable.
''Obviously, guys would like to go into the first test with runs behind them but it is not always possible. The surfaces we've had to prepare and train on have been outstanding. But sometimes you walk out to the middle, nick your first ball and off you walk again.
''The most important thing is going into next week feeling good. Getting a score behind you does help but it is not the be all and end all,'' Prior said.
He believes the game is there to be won for both sides.
''It is there for the taking but we are going to have to bowl well and that, again, puts us in a pressure situation, which is exactly what we want from practice matches.''
