Mustard battling for test place

Lets hope he has a good game tomorrow and that will put him in pole position for the rest of the tour hopefully

I think Ambrose is definatly the selectors number one choice when it comes to the test matches, but I hope he has a good tour non the less and shows everyone what he's capable of.

Peter Moores seems to have had a slight change regarding the test wicket-keeping-when the squads were first announced he said that Ambrose was likely to be first-choice for the test matches but now he is saying that no decision has been made.
I've been reading reports of the warm up games and all of the journalists have praised Mustard's keeping.
His style of batting means he will give chances to the opposition. Sanath Jayasuriya is one of the all-time greats but his ODI average is relatively modest-33.
Mustard needs time to establish himself and I see no reason why he should not be given a chance in the test side. His domestic FC record is not great but if County averages were used to select players then the likes of Michael Vaughan & Marcus Trescothick would not have played for England. Neither would Colly. There are lots of players who average more at international level than domestic level.
I was watching an old 55 over a side Cup game on the TV the other day; David Gower was playing for Hampshire and his career average in the competition was under 30!!

Moores saying that no decision has been made is what should have been said back when the squads were announced. It seemed very strange to me that you would appoint a guy who's never represented his country at any level ahead of someone who has experience and will have the opportunity with the gloves before the test matches in the odi's.

Good point about the averages mind you.

Yes, I thought it was a strange thing to say as well.
I though consistency of selection was the idea-who ever gets the gloves for the test matches should be given a decent run in the side because there is no point in disgatding players after a few poor games.
I was reading a blog on The Guardian website written after todays game:

"Today, Phil Mustard was immaculate, especially dealing with leg-side wides (that figure of six could have been three times as many) and standing up to the medium-pacers. David Graveney said when the tour parties were announced that Mustard would keep in the one-dayers and Tim Ambrose in the Tests. But Graveney is no longer the chairman of selectors, and it's hard to imagine anyone keeping with such agility as Mustard did today. Sidebottom might not be keen to see him make way."
[blogs.guardian.co.uk]

Mustard did do well today-got the side off to a good start with the bat and then kept wicket brilliantly.
It's funy though that most journalists regarded Mustard as-at best-an average keeper but now they have changed their tune.

If he drops a catch or misses a stumping, they will be quick to change their minds again.

Yeah, some of the journalists are so fickle.
He was superb today with the bat, that opening partnership was ideal. That's two handy innings in two matches-a good performance in the 50 over games will surely be enough to get him into the test side.
Brilliant innings from Colly as well.