Nottinghamshire all-rounder Steven Mullaney has continued his close-season travelling by joining up with South Melbourne for the next six weeks.

In Melbourne, he will rekindle his relationship with coach Chris Hall, the man he has worked with on his past five trips to the country.

“He got in touch and asked if I’d be interested in joining up with him again this winter, this time in South Melbourne,” said Mullaney. 

“The standard is good, and it’s a competition I’m familiar with after playing in it last year. It’s nice to go with a bit of prior knowledge and preparation, especially off the back of the good season I had with Nottinghamshire.

“Fletch is already in Melbourne, and Harry (Gurney) should be arriving later in the month, too. 

“I’ll be flying with Sam Kelsall, who has a big few weeks ahead of him. It’ll be good for him to push himself, make a claim for a place in the side come Barbados and the start of the season.

“Melbourne almost feels like my second home. I know it about as well as I do Nottingham. I have four matches to impress, and set myself up for the summer.” 

"It’s a move that will really benefit me, and aid my progression even further,"

Mullaney’s season with Nottinghamshire will be one to remember. After impressing in the summer’s early months with the ball, especially in limited-overs matches, he was pushed up the batting order to open in the final LV= County Championship matches. He impressed in that position, scoring a century at Lord’s against Middlesex in September.

“I’ve got a long year coming up, and I want to start how I finished. It’s a move that will really benefit me, and aid my progression even further,” said Mullaney.

“Travelling to play is an important aspect of cricket, and leaving my wife and daughter for six weeks will be tough but a worthwhile sacrifice.

“While playing and testing myself in places like Bangladesh and Australia is good, my number one priority is with Nottinghamshire, and my career. That’s where the performances matter most.

“I’ll need to feel that I’m batting well outdoors, so that come March I’ll be going into the Barbados tour full of confidence.”