Matt Prior is the first choice Test keeper for the side for this summer and for the Ashes tour next winter despite being dropped for the upcoming World Twenty20 squad, England's vice-captain Alastair Cook has said.

Cook said, "Matt has done an amazing job with the gloves over the last 18 months."

The Daily Express quoted Cook, as saying, "Craig (Kieswetter) was very impressive when he came into the team in Bangladesh and he's got a huge future for England, but it's going to take a huge amount of effort and pressure to knock Matt out of the Test team."

Though there are few concerns about Kieswetter's work with the bat, but his wicket-keeping technique, described in some quarters as no more than adequate at present, is going to come under rigorous scrutiny during the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

Pietersen's inclusion was a no-brainer for the selectors, Cook insisted.

"KP's record in all forms of the game speaks for itself and although he had a tricky six months with England, coupled with the injury, form is temporary and class is permanent," he further added.

Cook's omission from the Twenty20 squad was less of a shock. Yet he believes he has made great strides in the format and can trouble the selectors soon.

He said, "I've worked really hard on it over the last 12 months, scoring hundreds for Essex, and I'm trying to get better." (With Inputs from Agencies)