Notts Outlaws are back in action this evening with a fixture at Old Trafford to face Lancashire Lightning on the back of a comfortable victory over Leicestershire Foxes at Trent Bridge on Friday night.
Director of cricket Mick Newell spoke positively of his side’s performance in their opening Friends Life t20 match.
“To chase down a 180 total with balls to spare in as comfortable a manner as we did was encouraging,” he said.
Debutant Ian Butler helped the Outlaws on their way with three wickets on the same day that he signed for the county, and Newell praised his contribution.
“He did well, picking up wickets is the best way of slowing sides down in this competition,” he said.
“For him to get three was crucial for us, especially that of Josh Cobb, who looked dangerous.”
The Outlaws’ trip to Manchester will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Ashes, with play starting at 18.35. The hosts have been in excellent form this season, with emphatic victories over both Essex and Northants in the LV=County Championship.
“They are a talented side, and our record at Old Trafford in limited overs cricket isn’t particularly good,” said Newell.
“You want to start strongly and keep winning those early matches to set yourself up with a bit of leeway in the group, rather than having to play must-win matches at crucial times.”
Newell added: “We have two massive four day games coming up in the next two weeks, we’re going to need to balance our squad a bit.
“There are a lot of matches and miles to cover and we don’t want to be losing players.”
With the Outlaws’ enviable form in white ball cricket in mind, Newell is confident that if his side continue to perform in a similar fashion, results will follow.
“We’re playing nicely and have good batting depth but we need to get the bowling right,” he said.
“Our fielding was pretty good, but it wasn’t great, I think if we make some small improvements we’ll be ok.”
Newell added: “This is as strong a batting side as we’ve put together and we’ll be looking to get through the group stage, and that’s our minimum requirement.”
“You want to be unbeaten for as long as you can, and with the run of home matches toward the tail end of the group stage we want to be looking for a home quarter final to give us the best possible chance of progressing further.”
Notts Outlaws squad to face Lancashire Lightning (from): Alex Hales, Michael Lumb, Riki Wessels, James Taylor, Samit Patel, David Hussey (C), Steven Mullaney, Chris Read (W), Ian Butler, Ajmal Shahzad, Jake Ball, Harry Gurney, Sam Wood.
Click here to purchase tickets for Notts Outlaws Friends Life t20 matches at Trent Bridge.
Notts Outlaws Friends Life t20 matches at Trent Bridge
Friday 19 July Vs Durham Dynamos - 6pm TICKETS
Tuesday 23 July Vs Derbyshire Falcons - 6.30pm TICKETS
Friday 26 July Vs Yorkshire Vikings - 6pm TICKETS
Sunday 28 July Vs Lancashire Lightning - 2.40pm TICKETS
Buy In Advance & Save:
Adult tickets £13 / Under 16s and Over 65s £7 / Family ticket (2+2) £33
On the day prices:
Adult tickets £16 / Under 16s / Over 65s £16 / Family ticket (2+2) £40
Enjoy Friends Life t20 hospitality at Trent Bridge for £84 per person
Your package will include:
- Use of a private suite in the Radcliffe Road Stand with a balcony overlooking the field of play
- Nibbles served on arrival
- Hot main dish served in your suite 30 minutes before the start of play
- Cheese, biscuits and chutney during the interval
- Match scorecard
- Box host
- Car Parking 1:4
Call 0844 8118712