McLaren so ready for Red Rose Challenge
Charlie Reynolds catches up with Lancashire’s new signing, Ryan McLaren, at the Pakistan Super League
When he signed up to become Lancashire’s overseas player this season, Ryan McLaren probably made peace with the fact that he might be spending more time than he used to waiting for rain to go away – he just wouldn’t have expected to be doing it so soon.
However, when we meet up in the bowels of the Dubai International Stadium, he is doing just that – rain to rival the stuff that comes off the top of the Pennines steadily falling outside – not quite what you’d predict from a tournament in the UAE.
Eventually the rain will stop and miraculously a 15-overs-per side game takes place; McLaren’s Karachi Kings coming out triumphant thanks to a Chris Gayle knock that just sneaks them into the Pakistan Super League play-offs.
And while the South African all-rounder has yet to make an appearance for his team, with last year’s man of the tournament Ravi Bopara and West Indian superstar Kieron Pollard ahead of him in the selection queue, he is clearly enjoying his time at the PSL.
“It’s been a good experience, when you get into the tournament you don’t know what to expect, but it’s a very well-organised tournament, well structured and players get paid on time, that’s always a bonus,” he laughs.
“But more importantly, from a foreign player’s point of view you’re made to feel welcome in the team and the local players really make an effort to make you feel part of the team, so it’s been an enjoyable experience.”
However, this year’s edition of the tournament began by making big headlines across the cricketing world, and not for the right reasons, two players sent home and three more questioned – including one on McLaren’s team – as a spot-fixing scandal broke on just the second day of the competition. A story that stunned the players just as much as the spectators.
“I think it was a bit of a shock to some of the players, but predominantly a disappointment,” says McLaren. “As players we want to keep the state of cricket in a healthy space and for the rest of the world to know there’s honesty and integrity in the game. There really has to be a harsh penalty, it was a huge disappointment.”
The 34-year-old talks thoughtfully and intelligently about the game that has seen him play in the IPL as well as spells at three English counties, including Hampshire last season – a county now taking some flak over their recent Kolpak signings. As a South African, who himself is a former Kolpak player for Kent, McLaren is well-placed to talk about the subject.
“I think it’s a case of when it was going to happen or not,” he says. “I think there were a lot of South African players who were in that situation where they felt like opportunities weren’t really forthcoming and were probably concerned about what their opportunities were going to be like in the future.
“But realistically, as long as it’s strengthening English cricket then I think it’s good; I think it’s a really good brand of cricketer, a strong brand of cricketer, that is coming to play as Kolpak players. But from an English cricket point of view they will obviously have concerns about where to draw the line and that, I suppose, is the key.
“When Kent offered me a Kolpak contract in 2007, I was probably about eighth in the queue for South Africa, the For now though, McLaren has eschewed joining the likes of Rilee Roussow and Kyle Abbott in Kolpak Land and signed a traditional overseas player contract chances were very slim I was going to play, so it was more an economic and business decision.
“Some of these guys are going to make those decisions now that they think is best for their career.You can’t blame them.”
For now, though, McLaren has eschewed joining the likes of Rilee Roussow and Kyle Abbott in Kolpak Land and signed a traditional overseas player contract with Lancashire – a move he’s clearly relishing.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity that comes with Lancashire,” he says. “It’s a young group, but a really exciting talented group as well so I’m excited about it. Although obviously it’s going to be a bit colder than at Southampton!
“Lancashire’s a great club with a huge tradition and a history, and it’s always just an honour to be associated with a club like that. I’m hoping we can put in a lot of good performances this season.”
McLaren will be back in Dubai before long, joining his new county teammates on their pre-season and with some wet weather acclimatisation already under his belt and a clear desire to throw himself whole-heartedly into everything next season – not to mention the fact that he is a master of the braii – he looks like being a great acquisition for Lancashire.