England wicketkeeper Matt Prior believes it is inevitable that the selectors will soon have to bring in a squad rotation policy to allow key players rest time.

Prior, England's first-choice behind the stumps for a four-Test series against South Africa starting on Wednesday, was also in the team which took part in this autumn's Champions Trophy and beat their hosts recently in a five-match one-day series.

He can also expect to travel to Bangladesh for a Test and ODI tour after Christmas.

There have been suggestions that some regulars may be rested for the Bangladesh trip, before an English summer which sees a return series against those opponents and also Pakistan - with a World Twenty20 in the West Indies in May.

Prior has told next month's edition of the Wisden Cricketer: "Ultimately players are going to have to be rested.

"They have to be told - not asked. No-one will say they want a break - but there is nothing wrong in the England management saying, 'You are our number one, but we want you to rest to be fit for [an important] series'."

Prior believes the amount of cricket played by each member of the squad should be assessed on an individual case-by-case basis.

"The ECB should study the playing schedule and structure every individual player's commitments," he added.

"I want to play every time England take the field. But there must be an acknowledgement by the selectors, coach and players that whoever is rested does not risk losing his position in a properly-run rotation system."

Prior cites Australia as opponents who have already embraced a necessary rotation policy.

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"You don't want to give a rival half a chance to take your job, but Australia think nothing of resting their players without placing the dropped player's future at risk," he notes.

"Ricky Ponting was in the form of his life when returning from a rest period after the Ashes."

A short break, Prior points out, can have a very positive effect.

"We had a couple of guys taking breaks in the one-day series [against Australia]," he recalls.

"Collingwood had a week away. His body was falling apart - he was exhausted - but he came back a different bloke.

"He was like the academy lad just called up. He was the Collingwood we all know."

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