Moores admits selection poser

26 September 2007

Coach Peter Moores has much to ponder over the England wicket-keeper position

Peter Moores is hoping England’s latest wicket-keeper can heighten his selection problems when his illness-ravaged squad step up their preparations for the one-day series against Sri Lanka.

The England coach is hoping to build on his side’s remarkable NatWest Series triumph over India earlier this month and take on one of the biggest challenges in world cricket - competing with Sri Lanka on their own soil.

The five-match one-day series starts in Dambulla, but before then England face their only warm-up match in Colombo knowing they could be without several key players after a stomach virus spread through the squad.

Captain Paul Collingwood, fast bowler Stuart Broad, all-rounder Luke Wright and opener Alastair Cook have all been struck down by the condition.

This has left them doubtful for the solitary warm-up match and left them little time to experience the conditions before the start of the series.

Moores is also bracing himself for Phil Mustard, England’s latest uncapped recruit, attempting to cloud the wicket-keeping position even further.

Called up to the squad after Matt Prior broke his right thumb during England’s dismal ICC World Twenty20 campaign, Mustard’s attacking brand of strokeplay could be just the boost they need.

It could also provide the selectors with further problems when they consider their options for the Test tour to Sri Lanka before Christmas.

Moores stressed: “It’s a key position. We watched Matthew come through a journey...but he’s come back and kept really well during the one-dayers.

All-rounder Luke Wright is one of four England players with a stomach virus © Getty Images

Buy this photo

“It’s an exciting time because Phil Mustard gets a go for this series. He’s had a very good domestic season so it’s a good time to come in and have a go.”

Mustard caught the eye last season with a domestic one-day average of 44.

He also delivered an eye-catching innings of 49 off 38 balls to help Durham beat Hampshire in the Friends Provident final at Lord’s.

“He could make it difficult, but we want players to do really well so I’m hoping he goes really well,” said Moores.

“I’ve obviously seen him play and it will be interesting to see how he adapts to these conditions, how he plays and what he’s like around the team.

“When you have someone close you can have a good look and decide where they are at the moment and also how much is in the tank for them to go on and hopefully be world-class players.

“Performance wins the day and it’s not completely nailed down or someone would have got a central contract.

"Matty Prior got a hundred on his Test debut and an averages 40, which is not a bad start for your first seven Tests.

"We then have someone like Phil Mustard coming in and we’ll see how he does.

“We’ve got quite a few young keepers out there who are pushing very hard, but to nail down a Test spot completely you probably have to do a year to two years.”

England will rest after three successive day’s training in a bid to help those ill recover for the warm-up match, when there will be a flexible approach to the 50-overs game against local opposition to give as many players as possible a game.

“It’s good for us because we’re still acclimatising and we want to keep people on their feet for quite a long time but we can balance it out,” said Moores.

“If someone like Colly (Collingwood) is still feeling a bit groggy he might be able to bat and not field.”