Mustard has been tipped for England by Shane Warne (Getty)

Durham wicket-keeper Phil Mustard is looking forward to joining up with the England squad for the one-day series with New Zealand.

Mustard played in the series in Sri Lanka last October, but faces stiff competition for his place.

The 25-year-old told BBC Radio Newcastle: "Me and Tim Ambrose are there now so obviously we've got to work hard together and see who wins.

"If I perform well then hopefully I can hold my ground for the English summer."

Interview: Durham wicket-keeper Phil Mustard

Mustard has been tipped for the England set-up by the likes of Shane Warne and has enjoyed his brief encounters with the international scene thus far.

I've got to prove I'm a Test match player Phil Mustard

He said: "It's been a big surprise for me being in the one-day series in Sri Lanka, being involved in the Test series and then being picked for the New Zealand tour.

"I must have been doing something right in Sri Lanka, it was a bit of hard work but hard work pays off."

Durham's performances in short-form cricket have highlighted Mustard's abilities with the bat and behind the stumps and the Wearsider hopes to display his talents down under.

He said: "I've got to prove I'm a Test match player and obviously if I do well with the one-day stuff and hopefully I'll get a chance with the Test series.

"The work I've been doing over the past six weeks in Sri Lanka, I've worked hard on my batting and hopefully it'll pay dividends."