Ambrose is set for Test debut ahead of Mustard

9:56am Monday 3rd March 2008

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TIM Ambrose is poised for an emotional family reunion as he prepares to become the latest incumbent to try to establish himself as England's Test wicketkeeper.

Since the retirement of Alec Stewart in 2003, England have tried Chris Read, Geraint Jones and Matt Prior in the role without any of them managing to convince over a long period of time.

Warwickshire's Ambrose, who was born in Australia, is the current wicketkeeper to wonder whether he will be the one to end the debate and establish himself behind the stumps in England's Test side.

He is expected to get the nod ahead of Durham's Phil Mustard in the opening Test against New Zealand at Seddon Park this week.

That will be an exciting enough moment in itself, but Ambrose has revealed how he also has a long-awaited reunion with parents Ray and Sally to look forward to.

They're getting in Tuesday evening so I'm looking forward to seeing them,'' admitted 25-yearold Ambrose.

I haven't seen mum for a few years now so it will be good to catch up.

My dad came over in the summer to visit me but I haven't seen mum because she's living in Australia.

"So it's quite a trek and my winters have been a bit busy the last few years so I haven't managed to get back.'' Having grown up in Newcastle near Sydney, Ambrose came over to England as a teenager to play club cricket and was picked up by Sussex, where he helped them win their first county championship in 2003.

He moved to W a r w i c k - shire two years later because he was in competition with Prior at Hove.

He has continued to score consistent runs - he averaged over 45 in the championship last season - despite the demands of keeping wicket.

Ambrose was rewarded with selection to the England Performance squad before Christmas and after Prior struggled with the gloves in Sri Lanka, he was brought in for this tour.

He has had to be patient for time in the middle - his first match action was in last week's two warm-up matches in Dunedin a month into the tour after Mustard was preferred for the one-day section - but with a Test debut in sight he is relishing the opportunity.

Making my Test debut will mean a great deal to me,'' he confirmed.

I was talking to Stuart Broad last night about that and he was telling me about his debut in Colombo.

It was sending shivers down my spine the way he was talking about it. He was very proud of the moment and I'm sure I'll feel the same way.'' But he admitted: It's been quite strange being around cricket for a month or so without actually getting into the middle and facing some bowlers and catching the ball behind the stumps.

It was a good opportunity last week and good to get a bit of the rust out, which was the idea of the games, so that was very useful.'' His time on the sidelines has not all been wasted and, as the most accomplished guitarist in the squad having played since he was 14, he has been passing on tips to budding musicians Jimmy Anderson and Graeme Swann during their spare time.

Labelled as the Dylan of the dressing room' by Andrew Strauss, Ambrose has been playing with the other would-be guitarists, although he admits they are not polished enough for a public performance yet.

I wouldn't say I was a serious guitarist, although I've been playing for quite a while,'' he added.

A few of the other guys are trying to learn on tour so it's been good having some people to play along with.

We've played together a few times but we haven't let anyone in to watch us yet.

"I've never played in a band, it's always been a relaxation thing for me really. It seems to help me to unwind.'' England were given the day off yesterday as they travelled from Dunedin to Hamilton in preparation for Wednesday's opening Test.

They will train at Seddon Park today as they build up to the start of the series.

Paul Collingwood, who aggravated a right hamstring strain during the drawn three-day match against a Select XI in Dunedin, is expected to be given the all-clear for the Test after improving.

The tourists are also hopeful left-arm seamer Ryan Sidebottom, who sat out the three-day match with right hamstring trouble of his own, will recover to claim his place.