PHIL MUSTARD is signing for Lepton Highlanders.

The England one-day international hopes to play for the Drakes League club later in the summer.

It was planned for the 26-year-old to make his debut against Hoylandswaine in the Cedar Court Conference on Saturday, but he is not being released by his county, Durham, as they practice for the upcoming county Twenty/20 tournament.

“He’s the biggest signing we’ve ever had and it shows how keen we are to make progress,” said Lepton skipper and chairman Sean Mulhall.

“Phil knows a few of our lads from the time he spent with Kirkheaton in 2006 and he’s agreed to come and play when he can.

“We hoped he would be available this weekend, but it turns out he can’t play so it will have to wait until later.

“Finishing bottom last season was pretty demoralising, so we’ve set our stall out to improve, there’s a good camaraderie in the club and a signing of Phil’s calibre can only help.”

Exciting wicketkeeper-batsman Mustard was part of Durham’s County Championship-winning side last season and has played in 10 ODI’s, including England’s tours of Sri Lanka and New Zealand.