By Sam Lyon

He'll get criticised, but more responsible people will hopefully see the bigger picture Swann on Moores

England all-rounder Graeme Swann has backed Peter Moores as the coach comes under increasing pressure after the loss in the first Test to New Zealand.

England's 189-run defeat has prompted a torrent of criticism against captain Michael Vaughan and coach Moores.

But Swann told BBC Sport: "It is the hardest job in the world being a coach.

"It's the age-old thing that a coach is only as good as the display of his team on the day. He'll get criticised, but the boys know he's doing a good job."

Moores's reign as England coach got off to the perfect start last summer with a 3-0 Test series win over the West Indies, and four successive one-day series victories have also been a highlight.

However, he has now presided over two Test series defeats and England's last-day capitulation in Hamilton continued their recent rocky form, having lost the one-day series.

GRAEME SWANN COLUMN It's not deliberate that we went out there and lost so heavily. Nothing went right for us - we have to accept that and move on Graeme Swann

But Swann said: "Mr Moores is a very pragmatic guy. He knows how hard the players are working and I'm sure he won't be taking too much notice of what's being written in the press.

"He and (skipper) Vaughan have established good lines of communication but at the end of the day the opposition are allowed to play well too.

"Mr Moores knows everyone is trying their socks off and that we're doing all the right things on the training ground. But he doesn't get judged on that, he gets judged on what the players do out on the park.

"He will get criticised, but more responsible people will hopefully see the bigger picture."

Moores, meanwhile, has defended the preparation of his side ahead of the Test, amid suggestion the likes of Steve Harmison and Matthew Hoggard were not match fit.

If you speak to (Harmison and Hoggard)... they'd say we've had time Peter Moores

"Steve's retired from one-day cricket and Matthew didn't get into the team and so they had no chance to play in the series preceding this one," he said.

"That's the reality, but if you speak to those two - and the skipper and the other players - they'd say we've had time.

"We've had two warm-up games, plenty of nets and, before that, some of the team were working at their game in England.

"More likely is that they just didn't get it right in the game."

England attempt to level the series in Wellington, the second Test getting under way at 2130 GMT on Wednesday.