By Myles Hodgson

Last updated 11:47, Thursday, 28 August 2008

MATT Prior has revealed how a new hard work ethic has helped England’s resurgence as a one-day team and underpinned their outstanding displays in the NatWest Series against South Africa.

England are one victory away from claiming a surprise series victory over South Africa, who began the five-match series having claimed nine successive one-day international wins, as they prepare for Friday’s third encounter at The Oval.

Impressive performances at Headingley and Trent Bridge have established a superiority over the tourists with energetic and vibrant displays with the bat, ball and in the field.

It is a major transformation from earlier this summer, when they suffered their second successive series defeat to New Zealand and looked further away from success at one-day international level than ever.

But Sussex wicketkeeper Prior believes the turnaround in fortunes can be traced to a harder work ethic installed by coach Peter Moores and new captain Kevin Pietersen than there was in his previous spell in the England set-up a year ago.

“I noticed the difference from the first moment we turned up in Scotland and did a fielding drill, and straight away I noticed it was different,” Prior said.

“The energy, the buzz, the skill levels and the fitness of the guys was different, which is not saying it was bad when I was in the squad before but there has been an increase in intensity, definitely, and it’s fantastic.”