Durham’s odd couple finish the fairy-tale

Just 15 years after making their first-class bow, Durham won their first trophy with a cosmopolitan side consisting of five natives of the northeast, five players born overseas and a Scot with South African parents in Kyle Coetzer.

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Yet this eclectic mix has emerged as one of the most formidable sides representing one of the most progressive counties and they were far too good for Shane Warne's Hampshire, winning by 125 runs when the rain-interrupted final was completed.

They may have faced accusations in the past of being too reliant on overseas mercenaries, but not least among Durham's mounting achievements has been their ability to produce England players. Now it seems that in 24-year-old Mustard they have found another talent to follow Steve Harmison, Paul Collingwood and Liam Plunkett into the national fold.

The wicketkeeper-batsman was hailed as the best available to England in the one-day game by no less a judge than Warne after Mustard had got Durham off to a flying start upon being put in to bat on Saturday. Then Mustard furthered his reputation by keeping more than tidily, including standing up without a helmet to the brisk Graham Onions to show they breed them tough in the north-east.

Warne said: "He looks like a class act and I've had a high opinion of him ever since I saw him earlier this season. He reminds me of a young Adam Gilchrist."

Such hyperbole may be premature but Mustard has already come to the attention of England's selectors and was close to making the World Twenty20 tournament next month. Yet a more sober assessment came yesterday from his Durham captain Dale Benkenstein. "If Phil continues doing the right things then he'll play for England," said Benkenstein.

"But he's new to county cricket and he will only be ready when he's produced consistent performances over two, three or even four seasons. 'In four-day cricket he needs to get bigger scores and even in one-day cricket he needs to learn to finish an innings. But his keeping has improved."

Then there is Gibson. The 38-year-old retired six years ago but returned to continue his nomadic career at the Riverside. He is now not only bowling as well as ever but is so highly regarded as a coach that he may soon have the choice of a job within the ECB or as head coach of his native West Indies.

Hampshire are certainly sick of the sight of Gibson. He took all 10 wickets in an innings against them last month and added two from the first two balls of their innings at Lord's to prevent any hope of Hampshire overtaking Durham's record 312 for five in a 50-over final. Gibson was even on the receiving end of a beamer from the gentle giant England want to turn nasty, Chris Tremlett, but the pair shook hands after a brief confrontation and Gibson accepted it was an accident.

The much-anticipated final was not without its disappointments, not least in that it was carried over to yesterday so the majority of the 8,000- strong Durham contingent were unable to see their first trophy being presented.

Most big one-day matches these days are decided in one day, by the Duckworth-Lewis method if necessary. But in their wisdom, the ECB decided the teams should return yesterday for 17 overs and for Durham to complete the formality of their triumph.

No matter. The last word should go to a man who did not even play. Harmison is a proud Geordie who was devastated to be ruled out of the final through a back injury and has been around long enough to remember when Durham were more laughing stock than victors.

"Visiting counties used to say they only booked into their hotel for three nights when they played us because they knew the game wouldn't last into a fourth day,' said Harmison. 'But now it's different and people fear coming to the north-east.

"Myself, Neil Killeen and Paul Collingwood were around when people thought of us as a joke but I think we've proved a few things to people now."