Mullaney explains Lancashire exit

Mullaney played just two Pro40 games and one Twenty20 match last season

Nottinghamshire all-rounder Steven Mullaney has said that his desire to play for England was crucial in his decision to leave Lancashire.

The 22-year-old put pen to paper on a two-year contract on Tuesday.

He told BBC Radio Lancashire: "My ambition is to play for England and to do that I need to play regular first-team cricket.

"Lancashire is a hard team to break in to and with Freddie coming back it would make it even harder."

He added: "I've had a good think. I was offered a contract by Nottinghamshire last week and then after the last game Lancashire offered me a contract.

"Further discussions then went on and I thought the best way for me to progress my career was to move on."

Mullaney says he feels no bitterness to the club where started his professional career.

"All the lads in the first team were playing pretty well so you can't really just drop someone because someone else is doing well in the second team," he said.

"I just felt that more opportunities would come my way with Nottinghamshire. They are a massive club and I can't wait to start to be honest."