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16/10
06/10
MULLANEY STANDS DOWN AS CAPTAIN
TrentBridge.co.ukNottinghamshire's club captain Steven Mullaney has stepped down from the role after six years as skipper.
Mullaney took the reins in 2018, leading his side in 133 fixtures across all competitions since assuming the position on a full-time basis.
His tenure in County Championship cricket included promotion to Division One as champions in 2022 and a third-place finish in the top tier in 2021, having amassed the most points of any team in the country.
In his final summer in charge, he skippered his side to sixth place upon their return to red-ball cricket's top flight.
Mullaney also led Notts Outlaws to the knockout stages of the 2018 and 2019 One Day Cup, as well as the 2021 and 2023 Vitality Blast quarter finals.
“I’m honoured, proud and privileged to have had this opportunity,” he said.
“My main aim in the job was to make a difference – and while the big goal was to win Division One, and we weren’t quite able to do that, I’m proud of the foundations we’ve been able to put down for us to challenge in the next few years.
“As captain, I wanted to have an influence on the culture at the club, and the way we went about things. It took us a couple of years, and we had to have some tough conversations along the way, but I really think we got somewhere.
“I’ve put my heart and soul into this job, but I think it’s time for someone else to enjoy the ride.
“Whoever that is, they’ll have my complete support.”
Mullaney, whose current Nottinghamshire contract has a further year to run, made his Trent Bridge bow in the County Championship winning summer of 2010.
The all-rounder also claimed the 2013 YB40 title, both white-ball trophies in 2017 and the 2020 Vitality Blast.
He performed captaincy duties for England Lions, and in the North vs South season-opening series, in 2018.
“Firstly I’d like to say a huge well done to Steve on his six years as captain,” said Head Coach Peter Moores.
“He took over at a time when we needed to rebuild, having lost several senior players the year before, and when we needed to find a new direction as a group.
“He led us superbly through that period, and made sure the players never lost sight of their goals by staying consistent with the messages he got across to them.
"Our results in red-ball cricket in recent years, and our retaining of first division status this summer, are testament to the improvements he helped to bring about. The squad is definitely in a better place now than when he took over, which is ultimately the goal of any captain.
“It feels like an exciting time for someone to take over, and I know Steve will be the first to offer his support, with that same goal of bringing further success to the club.”
Huge sigh of relief. Mull took us through that long lean patch without a win circa 2019. What did we win with him in charge other than promotion last year? A lovely bloke mind!
ReplyDeleteA totally honest and good man, who did a steady job, at a time of huge change in the game.
ReplyDeleteJim G
ReplyDeleteI think the right time. But take nothing away. His career stats stand up, albeit last season’s did not. And his leadership in the winless times was courageous. And when we needed a number 3 in the last match, it was no surprise he stepped up.
It could unleash him a bit as a batsman though as he often scores quickly.
I thought making him t20 captain was a mistake this season. Not tactically - just for a place-in-team question.
Who will replace Mull ? There is not exactly a long list , Prior to this season you would have said Hameed was something of a shop- in , But this season's batting struggles suggests it might add unwanted pressure to his game, Joe Clarke has the form but is he captain material ? Matt Montgomery needs to have a little more experience, Lyndon James is a possibility , Bowlers do not as a general rule become captain but it anyone was likely to succeed it would be Notts man of the season Brett Hutton
ReplyDeleteChances are given PM 's cautious nature he will go for Hass, Failing that I could see an overseas batsmen for a season. or two while the younger possibilities gain more experience
Zanga
Surely as when Fleming came an overseas (keeper) batsman??
ReplyDeleteNot that easy though with all the cricket played around the globe
Jim G
To be brutally honest, Mullaney shouldn't have been a permanent fixture in the side during this past season, let alone be captain.
ReplyDeleteAn honest bloke and a great servant to the club, wiithout a doubt and should now be used sparingly for the remainder of his contract.
Moores will no doubt be the predictable dinosaur that he is, and appoint Hameed as his successor.
If this is the case, then the opener, will need to rekindle the previous form, that unfortunately,deserted him last season.
On consistency and form, then Brett Hutton would be top of the list. Clarke could be another option, but wouldn't be my choice.
We will no doubt here the news very soon.
Can’t criticise him too much tbh. He’s stepped up when needed, even opened for a few seasons when there was a problem there. He’s declining now and probably knows it. Been a good servant to Notts over the years
ReplyDelete80 NOT OUT
ReplyDeleteEvery dog has his day!
And Mull has had his!
Big decline in form this year.
Perhaps his “ future” is as Second 11 Captain ? Could pass on a wealth of knowledge and experience to the younger lads coming through .
All in all Mullaney has been a big asset to NOTTS ccc.
Has he done his big mate Peter Moores an even bigger favour by stepping down? Moores would have never have dropped him whilst he was skipper!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Steven will reap future rewards at the club as the gravy train has many passengers these days. Full steam ahead engine driver Mick choo choo.
Network Snail Brian
I don’t think you could saddle Lyndon with the captaincy as he gets to grips with life in Division One. He’s got to warrant his place in the starting eleven first and foremost, perhaps he will be the next captain 👩✈️?
ReplyDeleteOverseas player permitting, Hameed gets it almost by default of there being hardly any other candidates but he is another whose form was pretty ropey overall last season and perhaps he doesn’t even want the role anyway? Who knows ? Can’t say I was over impressed with his captaincy in the Metro Bank ODC last season, but again some of this purely comes down to the players at your disposal and we never quite know just how much Peter Moores interferes with team selection and tactics ?
PM normally opts for the safe, non controversial decision and I guess Hameed falls nicely into this category so this is what I am expecting
80 NOT OUT
ReplyDeleteI am stating the obvious - but the options for the next Notts Captain are pretty limited .
Hutton as Captain
Hameed as Vice Captain
Or Vice- Versa
Hopefully the decision will be taken away from Peter Moores when Mick Newell signs an overseas wicketkeeper-top order batsman who will be captain for the year too, whilst Lyndon is prepared for the task in 2025.
DeleteExpecting……or more in hope Mr. NottsviewAdmin ?
ReplyDeleteIn hope that sense will provail.
Delete80 NOT OUT
ReplyDeleteCricket players are pretty well paid these days by their Counties . Also many now can earn a lot more in the world of franchise cricket - even mediocre players . So is a testimonial year becoming a bit uneccessary?
This practice has virtually disappeared from the world of football.
What do others think ?
ReplyDeleteAgreed, cricketers are relatively far better paid than they used to be, and they owe a debt to Kerry Packer for getting that ball rolling. But they remain modestly rewarded relative to some other sportspeople - e.g. those in football, golf, tennis, F1 - yet are still at the mercy of the fact their primary career ends in their mid-late-30s, if they're lucky.
There are opportunities to earn more - getting capped, becoming captain, becoming an international and, of course, getting the chance to play franchise cricket (can't help thinking the origins of that rest with KP too!). But not everyone gets the chance/is good enough to milk all of those cows, and perhaps therefore enjoys a moderate salary across a short career. A post-cricket career is almost certainly going to need to be pursued.
The concept of the benefit season does seem a bit anachronistic now, but perhaps remains relevant to both reward great servants (Fletcher and Mullaney being perfect examples) and for supporters to tip their hats to stalwart players. I understand that many players now donate a significant share of the proceeds to their chosen charities too, so all good in that sense.
So while benefit seasons are perhaps a bit outdated, let's hope that while players are still awarded them, that they are well-supported and people take the opportunity to recognise the efforts of long serving players.
Some very well made observations TCK
ReplyDeleteand I tend to go along with what you say
However, in the real world 🌎, you can lose your job at say 36/7 and have to completely re-train for something new or basically get any job you can to pay the bills, it’s irrelevant what you may have done before for the last 20 odd years.
Also, “County” players like Fletch and Mull are still likely to be paid anywhere between about 3 to 6 times an average worker in Nottingham I would suggest so I am starting to be of the opinion that the testimonial is now becoming a bit of an outdated thing TBH, especially in the current times we live in
However, as you also state, the majority of players make donations to their chosen charities with a percentage of the proceeds and it also gives people the chance to attend dinners, race days, auctions etc with some of the players in attendance so they are probably just about viable still when all the options are weighed up ????
80 NOT OUT
ReplyDeleteSome well thought out comments have been posted on the “ benefit “ year practice . Now that players move around more from Club to Club then you cant see many benefit years being offered a few years down the line?