England's super-sub Matt Prior says he is not fazed by the prospect of a verbal assault from the Australians.

The 23-year-old Sussex wicketkeeper-batsman joins up with the England squad in Leeds tonight after being chosen for the three-match NatWest one-day series which starts on Thursday.

Prior accepts he could be the target of Aussie barracking after he unwittingly became embroiled in a sledging row with Shane Warne during Sussex's Championship match against Hampshire in April.

Afterwards, Sussex skipper Chris Adams accused Warne of trying to humiliate Prior although the rival captains have since made their peace.

There have already been flashpoints during the early one-day skirmishes between cricket's oldest rivals ahead of the Ashes series which starts on July 21.

Fiery Aussie opener Matt Hayden argued with several England players after he was hit on the chest by a throw from fast bowler Simon Jones at Edgbaston last week.

But Prior insists any verbals which are flying around will only motivate him to try and prove himself at the highest level.

"I love the banter that goes on, it gets me going and I see it as a challenge," he said.

"Playing a nice friendly game bores me.

"But as far as I'm concerned what is said on the pitch stays on the pitch. What happened with Warney was blown out of all proportion and unfortunately I got dragged into it. I hated it but there wasn't a lot I could do about it.

"In terms of my career it was one of the biggest downers especially as I hadn't done a lot wrong except get out twice in the game to Shane Warne which has happened to the best players in the world.

"After that all I was thinking about was how I was going to improve my technique against spin. I'd been found out but I saw it as a learning curve."

The 23-year-old, who made his international debut against Zimbabwe last November, has been earmarked to fill the role of impact-making substitute under the new regulations which will be in force for the first time during the series.

In Prior's case that means accelerating the scoring rate in the second half of the innings and taking advantage of the two five-over slots when the fielding captain is only allowed two men outside the restricted fielding circle.

Prior added: "There is actually no pressure on me. If I do go well it will be brilliant but if I don't then they may decide that having a super-sub doesn't work.

"For me the role isn't that different. When I walk out to bat it will be because we have lost a wicket. I'll then have to play as the situation demands it. I will probably have to go in to get the run rate up, but I'll still be able to get my eye in first because I know I have got the shots to catch up at the end."