Philip Mustard, a charismatic and beloved cricketer hailing from England, captured the hearts of Durham supporters with his exceptional skills on the field. Admired by many for his batting prowess as a wicketkeeper, he was often hailed as the solution to England’s search for a dynamic wicketkeeper in one-day cricket. While comparisons to the legendary Adam Gilchrist were inevitable given their similar left-handed batting styles, Mustard humbly embraced his own unique talents and proved to be a force to be reckoned with.
Born in England, Mustard showcased his natural talent at a young age and represented England in the Under-19 cricket team. However, it was during Durham’s sensational 2007 season that he truly made a name for himself. Scoring an impressive 893 runs at an average of 49.61, including a rapid-fire 49 in Durham’s first-ever Lord’s final, Mustard played a crucial role in the team’s victorious campaign. His exceptional performances earned him a call-up to the national team as a replacement for the injured Matt Prior in England’s one-day series against Sri Lanka in October 2007.
Although Mustard displayed impeccable skills as a wicketkeeper, his highest score while opening the batting for England was a modest 28. Nevertheless, he continued to be selected as the backup keeper for subsequent Test series. It was during an ODI series against New Zealand that Mustard finally left his mark, smashing 83 runs off just 74 balls in a thrilling tied match in Napier. Despite this breakthrough performance, he struggled to retain his place in the national team, as other talented cricketers like Craig Kieswetter made their mark.
Despite facing setbacks on the international stage, Mustard remained a dominant force in domestic one-day cricket. However, his performances in first-class cricket did not reach the same level of consistency and success. In 2010, Mustard unexpectedly found himself assuming the role of captain for Durham. Despite having never considered captaincy, he guided the team with poise and resilience, helping them finish fifth in the County Championship.
2011 marked Mustard’s first full year as four-day captain, and he flourished with a stellar performance, scoring 716 runs at an impressive average of 51.14. Yet, Durham’s title hopes faded due to unfavorable weather conditions and disappointing losses in the Twenty20 and CB40 competitions. In 2012, Durham struggled in the first half of the season, resulting in Paul Collingwood taking over the captaincy. Although Mustard demonstrated glimpses of his old form, his overall performance dipped, averaging just 21.90 with one half-century.
Despite the downturn, Mustard experienced a resurgence in 2013 when Durham clinched the championship title. In a lighthearted finish to the season, he even secured his maiden first-class wicket by dismissing England batsman Luke Wright lbw with a clever slower delivery. As his form declined in 2015, Mustard briefly joined Lancashire on loan as their urgently needed wicketkeeper. In 2016, he also found himself on loan at Gloucestershire before signing a two-year deal with them following his release from Durham.
Mustard’s cricketing journey wasn’t confined to England alone, as he also dabbled in Twenty20 cricket abroad. Representing Barisal Burners in the Bangladesh Premier League and Mountaineers in Zimbabwe during the 2011-12 season, he showcased his skills on the global stage. Additionally, he had aspirations of playing in the Pakistan Premier League, but Durham’s security concerns prevented him from obtaining a No Objections Certificate.
Beyond cricket, Mustard displayed his talent as an all-around sportsman in his youth. He spent two years with the renowned Manchester United before the age of 13 and later pursued football with Middlesbrough until he turned 15.
Philip Mustard’s cricketing journey, filled with memorable performances, reflects his indomitable spirit and love for the game. Although he faced challenges on the international stage, his impact and contribution to Durham’s success solidify his place in English cricket history.
