On Tuesday at Grace Road, Nottinghamshire skipper Steven Mullaney demonstrated exceptional leadership by setting an example with his performance against Leicestershire. With an impressive bowling display, Mullaney claimed 3/18, contributing significantly to his team’s 22-run victory.
Nottinghamshire, after setting a target of 166 runs, managed to restrict Leicestershire to 143/8. Mullaney’s victims included Peter Handscomb, Rishi Patel, and captain Colin Ackermann, with Ackermann’s dismissal being particularly amusing.
During the 13th over, Mullaney delivered a slowish ball outside the off stump, pitching it at a good length. Ackermann attempted to hit the ball straight in the air, but Mullaney initially failed to catch it, fumbling on his first attempt.
However, in an absurd turn of events, the ball ricocheted off Mullaney’s fingers and struck Wiaan Mulder’s body, who was trying to evade it but couldn’t. Unbeknownst to them, Mullaney completed the catch with the unintentional assistance from Mulder.
Have you ever seen anything like that?!
— Vitality Blast (@VitalityBlast) June 20, 2023
Steven Mullaney uses the non-striker to help take his catch 🤯#Blast23 pic.twitter.com/5YVFs9n41u
Ackermann found himself momentarily stranded at the crease, wearing a wry smile on his face. Mulder, unsure of how to react, remained speechless as his skipper slowly made his way back to the pavilion.