Paul McMahon is a product of the Nottinghamshire Academy. He is an off-spinner of great potential, and is regarded as one of the brightest young spin bowling prospects in the country. He uses his height and a classical action to obtain good loop and genuine spin, allied to impressive control. He played for England Under-19s in the 2002 World Cup in New Zealand and was generally regarded as England's best bowler in an otherwise disappointing campaign.

McMahon plays club cricket for Wollaton in the Nottinghamshire Premier League, was educated at Trinity RC Comprehensive School in Nottingham, winning a place to read law at Wadham College, Oxford starting from the autumn of 2002. In his second year there, he turned out for British Universities, and captained the Oxford Academy side (the one merged with Brookes) to victory in the UCCE championship while his Oxford side won both Varsity matches.

Meanwhile, the seam-friendly conditions at Trent Brdige, and the presence of Stuart MacGill as overseas player restricted him to just six first-team appearnces from 2002 to 2004. Undeterred, McMahon developed his batting to the point of being a rather awkward tail-ender to dismiss, and has even notched up a 99 in four-day first-class cricket.

Despite MacGill's departure before the 2005 season, the signing of Graeme Swann limited McMahon's opportunities and he was released at the end of 2006.
Cricinfo staff September 2006