Phil Mustard is aiming to use England's one-day tour of Sri Lanka to push his claims for promotion into the Test side.
Durham gloveman looking beyond one-day debut in Sri Lanka
Phil Mustard is aiming to use England's one-day tour of Sri Lanka to push his claims for promotion into the Test side.
The uncapped Durham wicketkeeper was called up after Matt Prior broke his thumb while practicing at the World Twenty20.
Prior had been an ever-present in all forms of cricket for England since the start of last summer, but was not awarded a central contract by the ECB, suggesting the selectors remain undecided on the long-term identity of their best option behind the stumps.
Mustard, who impressed with his destructive batting for Durham in domestic one-day cricket, is the latest to be given a chance.
Test ambition
"The wicketkeeping role has changed hands a few times but my main concern is all about this one-day tour," said Mustard, who will make his international debut in Monday's series opener in Dambulla.
"If I perform on this tour who knows where it can take me next?
"Test and one-day games are totally different, but if I perform in the one-day games who knows, I might get picked for the Tests."
Gilchrist comparison
Hampshire captain Shane Warne is one of Mustard's growing band of admirers, even comparing him to former Australia team-mate Adam Gilchrist following Durham's victory in the FP Trophy.
"When you get people like Shane Warne saying you're the next Adam Gilchrist, it's always a pleasure reading the papers," admitted Mustard.
"Gilchrist is not someone I've really looked up to, but only because I'm not a big one for looking up to someone or copying them - I'm just trying to play my normal game.
"I'm an attacking batsman and that's just the way I play my cricket. I try to keep it as simple as possible. I see the ball and hit the ball and see what happens."
