Blast Preview: Bears v Outlaws

The Bears are buzzing after their stunning ten-wicket Vitality Blast win over Yorkshire Vikings at Edgbaston last night but face another "stern test" at home to Notts Outlaws tomorrow, says first team coach Mark Robinson.

Reigning Blast champions The Outlaws are flying high in the North Group and making a strong defence of their title.

They have plenty of power and skill in their squad, but will meet a Bears side which is fresh from delivering pretty much the perfect T20 performance after bowling The Vikings out for just 81 and then knocking them off without loss in 8.3 overs.

After such a display, it will be a case of 'follow that' at Edgbaston tomorrow and Robinson knows his side will have to hit high standards again against the holders (6.30pm).

"Yorkshire were a little bit depleted, let's be honest, but to win by ten wickets was really special," he said. "It was one of those freakish days where we bowled as well as we did in the previous game and yet suddenly we got the wickets all in a rush.

"So they hold no fears for us, but it will be a really good, stern test."

The Bears have named an unchanged squad of 13 after welcoming spinner Jake Lintott back into the side last night. Lintott returned with a spell of customary skill in an collectiely impressive bowling display.

All the bowlers took wickets, the two batsmen who got in saw the job all the way through, the two who didn't get in took excellent catches, the captain orchestrated astutely and the wicketkeeper took two catches and two stumpings...team performances don't come much more complete than that.

It was the most emphatic way to bounce back from three successive defeats.

"We needed a win again for our belief and confidence because, apart from Carlos Brathwaite, Danny Briggs and Tim Bresnan, we are quite an inexperienced team in terms of the amount of T20 played," Robinson said. "The confidence wasn't necessarily disappearing, but a win like that just gives you that confirmation that the things you are doing are good and you are on the right track."

Squad

Will Rhodes (C), Carlos Brathwaite, Tim Bresnan, Danny Briggs, Ethan Brookes, Michael Burgess (WK), Sam Hain, Oliver Hannon-Dalby, Adam Hose, Matt Lamb, Jake Lintott, Craig Miles, Ed Pollock.

How to follow

The last few tickets remain available for Bears versus Outlaws by clicking here.

Bears Members and supporters can also follow the Club from home via the Match Centre on edgbaston.com and through the Edgbaston app (available for free on iOS and Android).