Notts Outlaws Director of Cricket Mick Newell has welcomed the announcement that his side can qualify for the inaugural Cricket Champions League if they reach the final of the Twenty20 Cup.

The Outlaws campaign begins on Friday with an away fixture against Yorkshire Carnegie before Durham visit Trent Bridge on Saturday.

Both finalists of the Twenty20 Cup will join Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings from India, the Titans from Pretoria and KwaZulu Natal Dolphins representing South Africa and Western Australia and Victoria from Australia in the Champions League which has a first prize of £2.5 million.

“It is a fantastic prize for domestic cricketers who will have the chance to earn sums of money that have, until now, only been achievable for international players,” said Newell.

“The announcement has come too late in the day to change our thoughts on recruitment and it won’t change the way that we approach the tournament but it certainly adds an extra emphasis.

“It is clear that people are looking at playing more of this type of cricket and I view the Twenty20 cup as the most significant competition outside of the County Championship and we will be doing everything we can to achieve success.”

Notts also face Derbyshire Phantoms (Monday 16 June), Leicestershire Foxes (Thursday 19 June), Lancashire Lightning (Monday 22 June) and Yorkshire Carnegie (Friday 27 June) in their home games in the north division of the Twenty 20 Cup.

Click here to buy tickets online.