Luke Wright is not concerned how other people might label him as long as he leads Sussex Sharks to success in the upcoming NatWest T20 Blast.
The 30-year-old all-rounder will captain the Sharks in the Twenty20 competition for the first time this season and brings a wealth of knowledge to the role having played all over the world.
Wright has played in T20 tournaments in five countries – and has just signed a new three-year deal with Melbourne Stars– as he has developed a reputation as a white-ball specialist.
That is perhaps slightly harsh, given his impressive LV= County Championship performances in recent times, but Wright is worried only with how his worldwide experiences might help Sussex rather than any labels they might bring him.
“To be honest I’ve been asked that question for seven years now – it’s never really bothered me,” he told the latest ECB podcast.
“I played for England over 100 times both in one-day cricket and in T20 so it’s only natural for people to feel like that. My last two years for Sussex in the County Championship I’ve played really well and averaged high.
“It really doesn’t worry me. If that’s how I’m seen then fine, but I will just hopefully keep banging my runs out and keep enjoying my game.
“To be honest I’m just concentrating on winning games for Sussex.”
Wright hopes his experiences overseas will stand him in good stead as Sussex skipper as he leads the likes of Sri Lanka legend Mahela Jayawardene.
“More than anything, you’re so lucky to be playing with top, top players and rubbing shoulders learning off the way they play,” he said of his stints in the Big Bash League and Indian Premier League.
“From a captain’s point of view getting different points of view on how people do it. I want to bring some things that I think have worked from my time abroad and bring them in to Sussex and hopefully that can help us.
“Hopefully a few new ideas can freshen it up and bring a bit more luck.”
The Sharks begin the Blast campaign away to Kent Spitfires on the opening night of the tournament, on May 15, before hosting Gloucestershire two days later.
Luke Wright smashed an incredible 601 runs in 2014’s NatWest #T20Blast - 269 of those in two innings! pic.twitter.com/GRQN1sdTSc
— NatWest T20 Blast (@NatWestT20Blast) April 28, 2015