Notts Outlaws captain James Taylor believes the NatWest T20 Blast will be bigger than ever this year.

After a first year of rebranding and the change to Friday night cricket, the format grew in popularity in 2014.

And Taylor believes that the shortest format will enjoy even bigger hype this year.

"The NatWest Twenty20 Blast will be unbelievable this year," he said.

"Last year was brilliant, and this year there are even more really big signings - people like Brendon McCullum and Chris Gayle.

"People say the Big Bash [in Australia] has got our T20 Blast covered.

"I disagree. I think the teams in our competition are just so strong at the moment ... what we have is unbelievable."

“If there were eight or nine teams in a franchise system, the standard could maybe even soar higher.

"(But) it is how you go about doing it, and [with a franchise system] some talent might miss out.

"It is very much a balance that needs to be struck."

The Outlaws made the quarter-finals for the fourth year running last year and Taylor, in his second year of one-day captaincy, believes his side can go that step better this year.

And the right-hander is hoping to draw on his time at Leicestershire, who he won the title with in 2011, to take the Outlaws to their first t20 crown.

"If we play anywhere near to our potential, we definitely should be up there this year," he said.

"We've made some great signings - Brendan Taylor, and Darren Sammy coming in, are just a couple.

"We've just got to be that much more consistent than we were last year.

"We need to hit the ground running, but then also be ready to kick on and be well-positioned in the later stages.

"We've got to the quarter-finals the last four years on the trot, and then lost.

"If we can find that bit more consistency, we have it in us."

"But we won't fear anybody with the side we have."

"At Leicester, we weren't the most talented side in the competition. But we were so consistent, because we knew our roles and got used to performing them well all the time.

"There's a great buzz around a side when you win a competition like that, and it encourages the next group of youngsters to come through.

"I hope we can have that effect here at Nottinghamshire."

 

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information

v Yorkshire Vikings – Friday 22 May 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Durham Jets – Sunday 31 May 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Leicestershire Foxes – Friday 5 June 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Northamptonshire Steelbacks – Saturday 27 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Worcestershire Rapids – Friday 3 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 10 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Need more information? Call our ticket office on 0844 8118711.