Notts Outlaws need to produce their best t20 display of the season against Somerset to reach Finals Day, says director of cricket Mick Newell.

His side host the Somerset in an eagerly-awaited quarter-final tie at Trent Bridge on Sunday with a last four place at Edgbaston on August 27 up for grabs.

Notts have reached this stage by topping the North Group table with 11 wins from 16 matches.

That impressive record includes seven wins and a weather wash-out from their eight games on home turf.

But Newell insists the Outlaws will be taking nothing for granted against a team who beat them at the semi-final stage last year.

And despite their excellence so far, he believes they will have to step up their performance levels another notch to emerge triumphant.

"I think the home draw gives us an excellent opportunity because we have played very well and won all our matches here," said Newell.

"We have to go in confident after that, but at the same time we are well aware of the challenge posed by someone like Somerset.

"I think Somerset was the hardest draw we could have had. Last year they came close to winning both one-day competitions, they have dominated the CB 40 group they are in this year and have some very explosive batters.

"But they have lost several games in their t20 group and we have to work out how other teams have achieved that.

"As a bowling side we will have to be on our guard for the whole 20 overs – there won't be a period where we can let up because they have less capable batsmen coming in.

"I think we are going to have to give our best t20 performance of the season to win the game."

With pre-sales of 8,500 for the match, which begins at 1.45pm, it is expected a five-figure crowd will be in attendance.

There is even the possibility that the record for a domestic t20 fixture at Trent Bridge – 12,325 against Northants in 2006 – could be beaten.

Newell said: "I don't think a big crowd will affect their players because they have lots of experience, but it can certainly raise the level of play from ours.

"You would like to think it will make our players raise their game, rather than hide."

Whatever the outcome of the Somerset match, Newell is delighted with the Outlaws have acquitted themselves in t20 this summer.

He is particularly pleased with the efforts of younger players such as Luke Fletcher, Andy Carter, Scott Elstone, Graeme White and Alex Hales.

"Given the amount of young players that have got involved and put in strong performances, this is probably as good a t20 team as we have put together," said Newell.

"The only thing missing is that we don't have a second overseas to complete the set up and you are going to miss someone like that, especially if it is David Hussey."

For more local news and sport visit The Nottingham Post. 

Friends Life t20 quarter-final ticket information

Tickets are now on sale from our online ticket store, ticket hotline (0844 8118711) and the Trent Bridge ticket office.

In Advance (until 1pm on Saturday 6th August) 
£15 Adults (£12 for Nottinghamshire members)
£8 Juniors & Senior Citizens (£7 for Nottinghamshire members)
£38 Family (2 adults + 2 juniors)

On the day
£20 Adults
£20 Senior Citizens
£10 Juniors
£50 Family (2 adults + 2 juniors)