Mousley: “I’ve just got to work hard to force my way into the team”

Dan Mousley believes he has returned from his spell in Sri Lanka before Christmas as "a better player and also a more mature person."

Warwickshire batsman Mousley spent a month with Burgher Recreation Club, in Colombo, playing in the domestic one-day competition. For much of that time it rained but, amongst the monsoon, the 20-year distinguished himself with bat and ball.

He bowled his off-spin impressively to take wickets at 20.83 runs apiece (33-3-125-6) and rounded off the trip with his maiden List A century. His 105 (94 balls, eight fours, five sixes) against Nugegoda Sports and Welfare Club was a superb innings on a difficult pitch on which Nugegoda were bowled out for 98.

“I was really chuffed to get my maiden List A ton,” Mousley said. “After all the rain I was just delighted to be out there batting and I managed to cash in.

“It rained constantly for the four weeks I was there and had rained all night again but luckily we got a 34-over game in. It wasn’t the easiest wicket, a typical Sri Lankan slow pitch which spun, but I got a few boundaries away early on and felt good.

“I’d been opening the batting and trying to get used to the pitches but when you are not playing and training much because of the weather you go into games undercooked, especially having come from England where the ball nibbles around more and the pitches are quicker. So it was great to finish off the trip with some runs.

“Overall, it was a fantastic experience for me and I am really grateful to everyone for the opportunity. I learned a lot, fending for myself out there which was quite difficult because the cultures are worlds apart. I like to think I’ve come back a better player and also a more mature person. I still have a long way to go, but the trip was great for my development.”

Dan Mousley

Mousley’s mission now is to force his way into Warwickshire’s first team in all formats in 2022. The former Bablake School, Coventry, student has plenty of lost time to make up for after his 2021 season was wrecked by injuries: a broken finger and then, after six weeks recovery, another broken finger, both sustained in practice from hits by batting consultant Jonathan Trott.

“I just need to steer clear of Trotty,” he said. “It was a very frustrating season for me but the lads did brilliantly to win the championship and, while it won’t be easy to get into a side that’s just won the title, it’s a great challenge to have.

“There are a lot of lads hungry to earn their chance but the guys who have just won the title won’t want to lose their places so everyone is champing at the bit. I’ve just got to work hard to force my way into the team in all the formats. I’ve done okay when I’ve had first-team chances in the past so hopefully I will get opportunities again this year and take them.

“There is a real buzz about training after the brilliant way last season ended and we want to put up a really good defence of the championship title but also perform well in the T20 and 50-over competitions. It would be fantastic to defend the championship and also win one of the others.”