Cricket: McClenaghan makes flying start

Mitchell McClenaghan. Photo / Getty Images

New Zealand fast bowler Mitch McClenaghan seems to have maintained his magic touch in English county cricket.

McClenaghan is proving a big asset for Lancashire in English cricket's T20 competition.

The Auckland left armer took three for 35 on debut in Lancashire's nine-run win over Durham, and yesterday followed that with a five-wicket bag against Nottinghamshire in his first home appearance.

McClenaghan took five for 29 from his four overs in a vain attempt to help Lancashire defend 155 for six.

However, Australian David Hussey's rapid half century, 52 off 28 balls, enabled Notts to reach 159 for six.

Another New Zealand bowler, Ian Butler, was in the Notts team, and took a spectacular catch at long off while a third New Zealand seamer, Kyle Mills, took one for 31 for Middlesex in their loss to Sussex yesterday. The other three New Zealand players with contracts at English counties are Hamish Rutherford, Nathan McCullum and Jeetan Patel.