By Nick Creely
Steven Mullaney simply relishes the chance to play cricket in Australia whenever he gets the chance.
And while the newly appointed Nottinghamshire captain back home in England jets off on Monday to prepare for his first season as a county captain at Trent Bridge, the all-rounder’s latest stint with Dandenong has been a resounding success, as the Panthers continue to roar on and off the field.
“It’s always nice to play a bit of white ball cricket for a couple of weeks – it’s nice getting some sunshine here instead of four degree weather back home,” he said.
“I know Speaky (Dandenong coach Nick Speak), the Pattinson’s (Darren and James) and Paul Boraston quite well so it was great to come over and help out any way I could.
“They asked me to come over and help for a couple of weeks, and obviously try and get as much runs and wickets as possible – but it’s been great to come out and help the lads, and hopefully get the team into the one day finals.
“But I’ve got a young family and it’s tough leaving them, so I’ll get back and enjoy Christmas and get stuck back into the gym.”
The 31-year-old’s first stint with Dandenong was back in the 2012/13 season, where the Englishman scored 558 runs and took 27 wickets, before smaller stints with Casey-South Melbourne and DDCA powerhouse Buckley Ridges in recent years making him one of the most prized signatures in the south-east.
His praise for the quality of Australian cricket over a long period of time is the drawing card that lures him down under, as well the opportunity to hone his craft and improve his cricket, especially with the white ball.
“The weather in England isn’t great this time of the year so we’re basically just doing indoor stuff – Peter Moores (Nottinghamshire coach) is always keen for us to play some cricket outdoors and I had the opportunity to get to Dandenong,” he said.
“It’s always been a good standard of cricket (in Australia) and that’s one of the main reasons I come out and play – Dandenong were top of the ladder going into the weekend so they’re a great club.”
Mullaney is also a big fan of the list that has been compiled down at Shepley Oval, and in particular for the much loved and respected skipper at the Panthers, who continually draws praise after recently crossing 200 first XI games at Victorian Premier Cricket level.
“Tom Donnell and Brett Forsyth are going well as they always do, (James) Nanopoulos is doing well and young Pete Cassidy is going well – I said last time I was here as well, that he’s (Donnell) one of the best players I’ve ever seen not to play first class cricket,” he said.
But Mullaney – who has scored over 6000 runs and taken 84 first class wickets – will now embark on the challenge of captaining the famous Notts, after building a rock solid reputation after first making a name for himself in his 2006 first class debut with Lancashire, and he also made a special century with the Notts in his debut match for the county in 2010, further stamping his qualities as a player that can lead them into the future.
He will join notable names such as Stephen Fleming, Tim Robinson, Jason Gallian and Chris Read to captain the club.
“It’s my ninth season here now (at Nottinghamshire) so I count it as my home county – I’m very proud and honoured to be asked to do it and have the coach and the club have faith in me,” he said.
“I’ve captained a bit when Chris Read was injured and I really enjoyed it – I feel like I can make a real difference so that’s the main reason (for accepting the job) – we’ve got some big changes, some experience has gone but some great players have come in.
“It’s a job I can’t wait to get stuck in to, and I simply can’t wait to work closely with everyone.”
