Steven Mullaney is backing his Outlaws to entertain as Notts’ Vitality Blast campaign begins against Derbyshire Falcons.
The skipper is among a 14-man squad for the clash, on Friday 26 May (6.30pm start). Secure your seats here...
Having re-taken the reins of the T20 side following the departure of Dan Christian, Mullaney is keen to ensure the proactive cricket that has long sat at the heart of the Outlaws’ DNA is not lost.
“We had our first meeting as a whole squad yesterday ahead of the competiton, and we said we want to make sure we go about our cricket in the right way,” he said.
“For us, it’s about playing attacking cricket, backing our skills, and putting a show on for the crowd we’re playing in front of.
“If we can do that, I think we’ll win more games than we lose.
“I always enjoy leading the side, and I want to continue the great job that Dan did over the last five or six years.
“We’ve got a really experienced side now – everyone knows their roles, and we’ll be really clear about what we want from everyone before we get going tomorrow.
“I want to make sure we’ve got a nice relaxed environment, so people can go and enjoy themselves and perform on the big stage.”
Club captain since 2018, Mullaney is just one of a host of leadership figures in the Notts dressing room – and he’s keen to facilitate a collegiate approach during the Blast.
“I’m very open and relaxed when it comes to other people bringing their suggestions and ideas to the table,” he said.
“We’ve got people in there like Hales, who’s played a lot of franchise cricket and is very good tactically. Then you’ve got Samit, who’s been at the top for so long, the new guys like Shaheen who’s won the last two PSLs as captain… it’ll be a real team effort.”
The fresh faces in Outlaws gold include overseas stars Munro and Afridi, and recently-announced loan signings Jack Brooks and Conor McKerr.
Mullaney is excited to see what each can bring to the table.
“Colin has great experience in the best competitions around the world and in international cricket, so he knows the T20 game as well as anybody,” he said.
“The runs he gets at a good strike rate will be invaluable.
“As for Shaheen… when we signed him, Munro texted me saying ‘that’s the signing of the summer’.
“He’s a left-arm option, he can swing the new ball, he can bowl yorkers – seemingly at will if my practice against him last night is anything to go by – and he’s got pace about him.
“Conor has pace and good skills at the death, which again we saw in practice last night after he arrived, and Jack has loads of experience in red and white-ball cricket, so he knows the score.
“They’ll be really excited to play some cricket, and to have this opportunity, and we’re very happy to have them, even if they’re here because of some bad luck in our camp.”
Tomorrow’s tournament-opener is the first of seven games in ten days for the Outlaws, as the 2023 edition of the Blast begins at a frenetic pace.
The skipper knows, therefore, that the depth of his squad will be called upon in the days and weeks to come.
“The games are coming thick and fast,” he said.
“One of the things that me and Pete have really emphasised is that – even if there will be some disappointed people who don’t make that first XI – we’re going to need a squad effort if we’re going to qualify for the knockout stages.
“Overall, though, I think we’re in good shape.”
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