Phil Mustard settled in Durham captaincy role

Mustard took over from Will Smith as captain part way through last season

Durham captain Phil Mustard believes he is better placed to lead the county's pursuit of the Championship title in his second season in the role.

The 28-year-old was handed the post partway through the 2010 season as successor to Will Smith, who had taken over from Dale Benkenstein in 2009.

"I've had all winter to come up with plans for teams and what team I'm going to play," Mustard told BBC Newcastle.

"I've had six months to figure out how I'm going to take the team forward."

He added: "I feel at home now. When I first got chucked in, I didn't really know what to do.

"I didn't really have a basic plan, with Geoff [Cook] and Dale Benkenstein, it was a case of let's see how we go, but now hopefully I can run the team how I want to run the team, and that's the most important thing for me.

"I've got Geoff Cook backing me, all the lads backing me, the club is backing me hopefully we can move forward together."

Aside from domestic responsibilities, the Sunderland-born wicketkeeper continues to push for international recognition, despite his last appearance for the England side coming in a one-day international against New Zealand in February 2008.

"When I played in 2007, 2008, I didn't really know what I was doing, I was a bit 'energetic' I would say," Mustard continued.

"But now the club has shown courage in me, put me as captain, given me responsibility, and if I perform as I did last season, I could get back in the England side."