Mustard's aggression got Durham off to a flier at Lord's

Mustard, 26, hit 49 in the FP Trophy final triumph over Warne's Hampshire and has impressed batting as an opener in limited-overs games this season.

But he was overlooked by England for the one-dayers against India and next month's World Twenty20 in South Africa.

"To me he is just a class act - the best wicket-keeper/batsman in England," Aussie legend Warne insisted.

Mustard blasted his runs off only 38 balls to give Durham a flying start on Saturday as they amassed 312-5 before bowling Hants out for 187 when rain forced the game into Sunday.

606: DEBATE This fella could he be the answer to our one-day problems K93

Warne, Test cricket's highest wicket-taker, says the Sunderland-born player caught his eye earlier in the season and evokes memories of fellow left-hander Gilchrist with his powerful strokeplay.

"He has the same high grip, hits the ball from backward point to widish mid-off, plays the short ball pretty well and has that effective shot to cow corner," the leg-spinner said in his column for the Times newspaper.

"Gilchrist also had that same will to go for shots."

England have tried Geraint Jones, Chris Read, Paul Nixon in the past year, before opting for Matt Prior at the start of this season.

'Colonel' has a few steps to go before he is ready for international cricket Durham skipper Dale Benkenstein on Phil Mustard

Prior impressed against West Indies but struggled in the Test series defeat by India.

However, Durham skipper Dale Benkenstein believes it is too soon for comparisons to be drawn with Gilchrist, 35, who has more than 5,000 Test and 9,000 one-day international runs to his name.

"I think 'Colonel' has a few steps to go before he is ready for international cricket - it can also crucify you," former South Africa batsman Benkenstein said.

"I think his time will come. He's got to learn to finish innings. He needs to get hundreds - Gilchrist gets them.