International
Mustard out to live up to the Gilchrist comparison
WICKETKEEPER Phil Mustard
is hopeful this summer could be
the one when he takes on the
challenge of performing a similar
role for England as Adam
Gilchrist did for Australia.
Gilchrist, who retired from international
cricket in March,
opened the batting for Australia's
one-day side, where his
array of attacking shots would
often lay the platform.
But in the Test side Gilchrist
would revert to No 7, where he
became a destructive lower-order
batsman capable of converting
Australia from a good position to
a match-winning one.
The 25-year-old Durham batsman,
who spinner Shane Warne
likened to his former international
team-mate, is optimistic he
can justify the comparisons.
Obviously I have opened for
England in the one-day side and
I think I could be a lower-order
batsman in the Test side - similar
to what Adam Gilchrist did
for Australia,'' said Mustard.
I think I have got off to a decent
start for England in one-day
cricket, although I'm still very
much on a learning curve.
It's great just being involved
but this is a big summer for me to
really kick on.
I have had ten innings and
every time I go out to bat I'm no
slouch. I don't take anything for
granted and I've got to do it.
Obviously it is every boy's
dream to play Test cricket in
front of thousands of people and
that's a big target for me this
year. That is what I'll be working
towards.
If England are patient with
me I think they will get it back
with interest.''
Mustard is pragmatic enough
to realise that he will have to oust
Warwickshire wicketkeeper Tim
Ambrose, who has impressed on
the tour to New Zealand.
Ambrose hit 102 against the
Black Caps in the second Test in
Wellington, but Mustard will be
waiting in the wings for his
chance.
He said: Tim (Ambrose) has
done well in the longer game but
I don't think there is a lot of pressure
on me to respond.
I'm going to just go out and
enjoy my cricket with Durham
and let the natural talent take
over.
I have had a good couple of
good chats with Peter Moores
and he has encouraged me to continue
the aggressive approach.
If I'm scoring runs and keeping
well for Durham, and a place
crops up, I'll be determined to
take it.''
Mustard also felt Durham's
unique team spirit means that
they can match their achievements
of 2007.
This is a big season for everyone.
We need to continue what we
did last year,'' Mustard added.
With the success Durham had
last year I think the guys are all
buzzing just to start again and
try to go for some more trophies.
It was such a great season for
Durham. We've got some great
experienced players along with
the younger guys.
You get some teams who are
just a group of individuals but at
Durham it's a team where we're
all good friends and we have a
great vibe.
If we can keep that team spirit
and togetherness I think we
can perform this year just as well
as well as we did last year.''
9:10am Friday 11th April 2008
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