Mustard told he won’t be forgotten

May 31 2008 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

PHIL Mustard has paid for a disappointing start to the season with his England one-day place but chief selector Geoff Miller has assured the Washington wicket-keeper it does not signal the end of his international career, writes STUART RAYNER.

The 25-year-old has been left out of the 14-man squad to face New Zealand in favour of Test keeper Tim Ambrose.

While Mustard’s omission was not a great shock after only two half centuries in 12 Durham matches this term, Ambrose’s selection was. Many expected Ambrose’s Sussex team-mate Matt Prior, this season’s County Championship leading run-scorer, to win a recall.

Ambrose is the only player uncapped at one-day level and his selection will prompt a reshuffle. Unlike Mustard and Prior, the 25-year-old does not open in the shorter form of the game and the pinch-hitting role will be given to another Sussex player, Luke Wright.

“Tim has already shown he has the temperament and ability required to succeed in Test cricket and his selection reflects our desire to use the same wicket-keeper in both forms of the game,” explained Miller.

“Phil Mustard will, of course, be disappointed not to have been selected but he remains a player of terrific potential and we will continue to monitor his performances closely along with a number of other wicket-keepers.”

Mustard showed signs of a return to form with 57 against Derbyshire on Monday but it appears to have come a week or two too late. He played in England’s last ten ODIs, averaging 23.3.

Dmitri Mascarenhas has kept his place despite playing in the rebel Indian Premier League.

ENGLAND SQUAD: PD Collingwood (Durham, capt), AN Cook (Essex), TR Ambrose (wkt), IR Bell (both Warwickshire), KP Pietersen (Hampshire), OA Shah (Middlesex), LJ Wright (Sussex), RS Bopara (Essex), AD Mascarenhas (Hampshire), SC Broad, RJ Sidebottom (both Nottinghamshire), JM Anderson (Lancashire), GP Swann (Nottinghamshire), CT Tremlett (Hampshire).