Blast Insight: Notts Outlaws

Here's how the Bears opponents Notts Outlaws look for this season's Blast ahead of our visit to Trent Bridge later today.

Coach: Peter Moores

Captain: Steven Mullaney

Last Year’s Performance: Champions

2020 Leading Runscorer: Joe Clarke (371 @ 37.10)

2020 Leading Wicket Taker: Jake Ball (19 @ 13.63)

Overseas players: Dane Paterson (South Africa - whole tournament)

Key man: Alex Hales - Had a sub-par Blast in 2020 yet bounced back as top scorer in the Big Bash and with 8,066 runs is the highest scoring Englishman in T20 history.

Flies under the radar: Steven Mullaney - Seldom makes headlines but scores quickly and has a knack of chipping in with vital wickets with his medium pace wobblers and will captain the team in the group stage following Dan Christian’s Australia call.

Best Player Under 24: Lyndon James - Yet to appear in the Blast but is expected to get his chance after impressing with bat and ball in red ball cricket this season.

Blast expectations: Semi-finalists three times in the last four seasons and winners twice, the defending champions are among the favourites again, although they must manage without left-arm spinner Imad Wasim from their title-winning team because of the clash with the rearranged Pakistan Super League, while 2020 leading wicket-taker Jake Ball has not played any cricket since April 9 because of a back injury.

Nonetheless, with a top order comprising Alex Hales, Ben Duckett and Joe Clarke and big hitters such as Tom Moores in the middle, Nottinghamshire should score heavily again, while Wasim’s absence will an opportunity for veteran all-rounder Samit Patel to show he can still make an impact in his 19th T20 campaign, having made 191 appearances since the competition began in 2003, more than any other player.

Anything less than another trip to Finals Day will be seen as a disappointment.

Nottinghamshire CCC have confirmed that no tickets will be on-sale on the gate for this game, so please do not travel to Trent Bridge unless you have tickets.

Bears fans will be able to follow the game through our social media channels and via the live stream in the Match Centre on edgbaston.com and via the Edgbaston app.