Mullaney tips Brown to take debut in stride

6:30am Wednesday 3rd September 2008

ATHERTON professional Steven Mullaney has backed Lancashire colleague Karl Brown to shine when he makes his County Championship debut against Durham at Chester-le-Street today.

Brown has been named in Mike Watkinson’s 12-man squad to face the LV Division One title chasers.

The 20-year-old batsman from Bolton, a former Atherton player himself, was due to make his four-day bow in last week’s game against Surrey at Blackpool, but all four days were washed out.

“He’s certainly got the talent and temperament,” said Mullaney, who is good friends with Brown.

“He showed that in the Pro40 TV game against Sussex the other week before he unfortunately got run out.

“He’s not really the type of person who gets affected by nerves, but he will be facing a former England Test bowler in Liam Plunkett and an England Lions bowler in Graham Onions.”

The pair spent last winter playing club cricket in Melbourne last winter, and Mullaney believes that has helped his team-mate.

He added: “Karl will probably tell you himself that he came back from Australia a lot more organised. He has been in good form in the second team, and hopefully he can transfer that into the first team.”

Lancashire go into the game in the North-east desperate for a positive result to drag them clear of the relegation zone. They have not won in five games and are only two points in front of second-bottom Yorkshire.