Graeme Swann has claimed that England teammate Matt Prior is the best batsman in world cricket based on current form.

Prior played a big role as England salvaged a draw in the final Test against New Zealand in Auckland, scoring an unbeaten century to help the tourists save the match in dramatic fashion.

Prior's knock of 110 not out saw the wicketkeeper-batsman enter the top 10 of the ICC's batting rankings for the first time and Swann has insisted that there is currently no-one better than Prior in the Test arena.

"He's the best player in world cricket at the minute in my view," Swann told Sky Sports News.

"He gets runs every time he goes to the crease and I like the manner of his batting as well, he's never afraid to play his shots and he's very 'up and at 'em' every time he goes in there.

"It's richly deserved [Prior's rankings rise] and we wouldn't change him for the world."

Prior has played 65 Tests for England.