England have called up Phil Mustard to replace the injured Matt Prior for the one-day series in Sri Lanka.
Durham gloveman drafted in for injured Prior
England have called up Phil Mustard to replace the injured Matt Prior for the one-day series in Sri Lanka.
The Durham wicketkeeper, 24, is drafted in following an excellent domestic campaign, particularly in the shorter form of the game.
He has scored 893 runs in one-day action and was a major factor in the Dynamos winning the FP Trophy and the Pro40 Division Two title.
Mustard will fly out to join up with the rest of the party on Sunday, meaning he could still play for Durham in their final LV County Championship fixture against Kent.
"Phil has been in outstanding form for his county this season, has experience of opening the innings in domestic one-day cricket, and this is an excellent opportunity for him to test himself at a higher level," said chairman of selectors David Graveney.
Comparisons
One-day skipper Paul Collingwood certainly knows all about Mustard's abilities as the two play together at Durham.
He feels his county colleague deserves his chance in the international arena and compares his style of batting with Australia star Adam Gilchrist.
"He's a great timer of the ball and hits it very hard," said Collingwood.
"I hate associating people with Adam Gilchrist but the way he swings the bat is very similar.
"He's had a great season with Durham, deserves his chance and I look forward to him coming out here."
Bad break
England needed a replacement for Prior after he broke his right thumb at the ICC World Twenty20.
The Sussex gloveman suffered the injury when he was hit by a ball thrown by coach Peter Moores in practice.
It is likely he will miss the entire one-day series in Sri Lanka but will hope to be fit for the three Test matches that follow.
England are due to play a warm-up match against Tamil Union in Colombo on September 28 ahead of the opening ODI on October 1.
