SHOCKED star Scott Mitchell revealed keeping his England captaincy a secret had been the ultimate test of self control. 

The BDO world champion will lead his country at the British Internationals held at Penydarren Social Club, Merthyr, Wales between April 10-12. 

‘Scotty Dog’, who has 20 victories from 33 matches for England, skippers a side comprising Martin Atkins, Garry Thompson, Dennis Harbour, Paul Hogan, Jamie Hughes and Mark McGeeney and five debutants – Paul Dawkins, Paul Harvey, James Hurrell, Darren Peetoom and Lewis Venes.

The Bransgore-based player admitted the call-up had eclipsed his Lakeside triumph back in January and that holding it all back until yesterday's official release date had been torture.

Mitchell told the Daily Echo: "I found out during my journey to the airport for the HAL Open last Friday but I was under strict instruction not to tell anybody. 

"It was like being a kid who knew something they shouldn't know. I was not allowed to breath a word so I just sat there with a big grin on my face. 

"My wife, Sharon, was with me and we phoned the kids to tell them on the Friday night but the four of us had to keep it to ourselves. I didn't even tell my mum and dad until it was released.

"It is a prouder moment (than Lakeside) for different reasons. I'm a patriotic lad and to captain any team is great, whether it is down your local pub or the county, but the pinnacle of team darts is to lead your country, it just doesn't get bigger than that.

"It is another first for a Dorset player and a very proud day for my mum and dad and the whole family."

And Mitchell hopes to shine in his new role in order to impress selectors in what is England's final international before the World Cup in October. 

Mitchell continued: "We did not have a captain at the Six Nations so the lads asked me to informally take the role. 

"I gratefully accepted without advertising the fact and did not think I would get the opportunity again. It was completely unexpected because I never think like that. 

"People might talk about you being good for the job but I am a fairly humble, down-to-earth chap and until it happens you don't believe it.

"But now I am there, I'll be playing to try and keep the captain's job. To lead us at the World Cup would be mind-blowing."