Steven Mullaney has been promoted up the Notts Outlaws order with license to thrill – and he won’t be changing his game, regardless of the situation.

The 28-year-old scored 29 off 19 balls batting at number three last time out against the Worcestershire Rapids; a distinctly aggressive response to a tumble of early wickets.

And with Mick Newell liking what he saw from his experienced all-rounder, Mullaney will be pulling no punches again during Friday’s away fixture against the Birmingham Bears.

“We’ve been given the freedom to go and play aggressively because we know how deep we bat,” Mullaney said.

“Wherever I’m picked, I’m not bothered as long as I’m in the 11. “But Mick’s told me to bat at three, go hard, enjoy it and express myself.  So I’m going in, near the top of the order, with pretty much a free license.

“It’s something I really enjoy doing. I enjoyed opening last year and I’ve enjoyed batting at three this year.

“One thing Mick was really happy with at Worcester was that we were 6-2, but we didn’t change our game. I hit Shantry back over his head a couple of times in that over. It’s definitely the way to go because we’re an aggressive team.

“That’s something we’ll continue to do, so it will be entertaining cricket.”

Mullaney’s role at Edgbaston is unlikely to be confined simply to a brief of causing maximum carnage in the upper echelons of the order.

His medium-pace bowling, used almost exclusively during the middle overs, has become integral to the Outlaws’ success in the Twenty20 format.

“I just try to keep it really simple, hitting the stumps more often than not, varying my pace and trying to stay one step ahead of the batsmen,” he said.

“I’ve said it in numerous interviews over the past few years, but nothing has changed.

“At the start of the tournament, people thought my type of bowling and spin would get whacked, and the roles have kind of reversed.

“I know there’s going to be days when it doesn’t come off and I do go for ten-an-over but, more often than not, my career stats and economy rate suggests I tend to do okay.

“I’ll continue to do that until it doesn’t work over a long period of time, but I’m confident in my own ability that it will continue to be successful.”

Mullaney’s responsibility with the ball could perhaps be increased in the second city by the absence of Harry Gurney with a slight hamstring injury.

Jake Ball, Will Gidman, Brett Hutton and Luke Wood are all included in the 13-man squad alongside Luke Fletcher and Ben Hilfenhaus who played in the match against Worcestershire.

Alex Hales and James Taylor are on international duty with England meaning Greg Smith, who scored 102 from 54 balls against the Outlaws last season playing for Leicestershire, is likely to make a third Twenty20 appearance for his new county.

Darren Sammy is set for his final appearance prior to departing for the Caribbean Premier League, and Mullaney says the West Indian globetrotter, who smashed 36 off 16 balls at New Road, has been an immensely popular member of the side.

“He’s an absolute legend of a man,” Mullaney said. “He’s very funny. He held court on the bus on the way home from Worcester for a good hour.

“He’s a fantastic bloke both on and off the field. We’re lucky and privileged to have him in our side. 

“Hopefully we can get through to the quarter-final or finals day and we’ll see him pull on a Notts shirt again.”

Notts Outlaws squad to face Birmingham Bears (from): Jake Ball, Luke Fletcher, Will Gidman, Ben Hilfenhaus, Brett Hutton, Steven Mullaney, Samit Patel, Darren Sammy, Greg Smith, Brendan Taylor, Riki Wessels, Sam Wood and Luke Wood.

 

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information

v Northants Steelbacks – Saturday 27 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Worcestershire Rapids – Friday 3 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 10 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Need more information? Call our ticket office on 0844 8118711.