Ryan Sidebottom and Dirk Nannes will lead the Notts Outlaws bowling attack in the televised fixture against Worcestershire Royals at New Road on Thursday.

The pace bowling duo were on opposite sides in the final of the ICC World Twenty20 last month but have the potential to wreak havoc in tandem in the opening match of the Outlaws’ campaign.

Worcestershire beat Yorkshire Carnegie by 21 runs on Friday having batted first and posted 208-7.

“A score of 200 plus indicates that Worcestershire are a dangerous side and the likes of Vikram Solanki, Phil Jacques and Steven Smith can always cause problems,” said Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

“We’ve got match winners in our team as well and it’s up to us to impose ourselves on the game and make a positive start.

“There are seven bowling options in the team with the three spinners and Steven Mullaney and Paul Franks backing up Dirk and Ryan which will stand us in good stead.”

Alex Hales will open the batting alongside Ali Brown with Matthew Wood included at number three. Newell plans to keep faith with the top three for at least the first four fixtures with Samit Patel and David Hussey at four and five.

“Alex has emerged as an ideal opener in Twenty20 cricket and I think that he is best placed to take advantage of the six overs of powerplay alongside Ali Brown and Matt Wood,” said Newell.

“I want the batting order to be relatively settled and there won’t be any knee-jerk changes in the early matches.”

Live coverage of the match will be provided on BBC Radio Nottingham and Sky Sports 1 from 5.30pm.

Notts Outlaws team to face Worcestershire Royals: Alex Hales, Ali Brown, Matt Wood, Samit Patel, David Hussey ©, Chris Read (wkt), Steven Mullaney, Paul Franks, Graeme White, Ryan Sidebottom, Dirk Nannes