Matt Prior believes England's fresh approach under a new regime has given them their best chance yet of a concerted surge up the ODI rankings.

Despite their surprising successes against South Africa - seven wins out of eight dating back to August last year - England are still way off the pace set by table-toppers Australia.

South Africa, their significant superiors on official statistics, can vouch for England's ability - trailing the tourists 2-1, going into Friday's final match at Kingsmead.

For Prior, though, it is much more than the state of this series which has convinced him England are going places.

The wicketkeeper-batsman, who made his debut five years ago under the captain-coach axis of Michael Vaughan and Duncan Fletcher, has 52 caps to his name.

But it is in a developing team shorn, temporarily at least, of the talents of the injured Andrew Flintoff the 27-year-old senses a telling new approach - with Andy Flower and Andrew Strauss in those coach and captain roles. He cites honesty as one of the keys, under Flower, to a team he hopes are capable of becoming the best in the world.

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"Andy's done a fantastic job since the day he came in," said Prior.

"The team is just going from strength to strength, and it's a pleasure to be part of it.

"It's great fun, just really enjoyable."

The atmosphere on tour in South Africa appears to be a far cry from some of Prior's previous experiences.

"I've been on tours before where it's been hard work, you've really missed home - and each day's dragged," he remembers.

"That is really not the case here."

Prior senses a true team ethos is at the heart of England's positive vibes - and also appears to be relishing the variety as well as industry in training drills, which this morning involved a fitness test session on the beach and regularly entails imaginative middle practice with built-in specific match scenarios.

"When it's enjoyable that's often when you play your best cricket," he suggests.

"You've got a squad of guys all pulling together, in the same direction - and wanting to win this series - and passionate about that.

"It's absolutely fantastic. Everything's just gone up three or four levels, and I think that's showing in our performance on the pitch."

The moment he thinks a 'new' England was born was once the squad realised how much hard work was required.

"What has happened is there has been a huge amount of honesty in this team, individuals, senior players and coach and captain themselves," Prior reveals.

"'This is where we are in world cricket; this is what our stats say, black and white, where we're at.

"That was such a great starting point to actually say 'crikey, we're not actually as good as we think we are - we have to improve'.

"When you get that stark realisation it makes everyone very, very hungry and determined we do improve - because we want to be part of the best team in the world."

As for his own place in that team, Prior is content batting at six and with his improvement behind the stumps too.

He is conscious nonetheless a batsman of his Test pedigree - average in the mid-40s - must have the capability to help win ODI matches.

"I've not had a great deal to do this series, with the bat," he points out.

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"There was an opportunity at Newlands, which unfortunately I didn't take.

"But keeping-wise, I feel fantastic - very, very confident - and I also played a very good innings against South Africa A in a warm-up game.

"I feel very comfortable with the role I have in the team with the bat - and I'm just waiting for an opportunity, hoping I can put in that match-winning performance."

Deep down, Prior admits number four or five in any batting line-up would probably play most to his strengths.

But few, if any, players can pick their position in an international team - and he adds: "I've always said that the team balance is far more important than any individual preference - and the way the team is, moving forward and the positive steps we've made, it's fantastic to be a part of.

"The role I have at six will give me opportunities to win games of cricket down the bottom order and take responsibility to get this team over the line.

"That's a responsibility I want to grab with both hands. I enjoy it and feel I can do a good job there."