Mick Newell has laid down a challenge to Notts Outlaws – win ten straight games to claim the NatWest T20 Blast crown.

They have already won the last six going into tonight's final North Group game against Yorkshire Vikings at Headingley (5.30pm).

And despite having already secured a last eight place, director of cricket Newell wants that form to continue with a home tie in the last eight yet to be confirmed.

He said: "T20 is a lottery. We've won six in a row. We'd like to win (tonight) but it's not as essential as it was.

"To win the competition we've effectively got to win ten in a row. That's a hell of an ask but who knows.

"We absolutely want to win the game. We'll pick the best team we can even though we're through.

"We want to win for ourselves and we'll show respect to the competition and the other teams in our group who are relying on our result."

Notts are second in the group going into the game.

Batsman Michael Lumb and seamer Harry Gurney are unlikely to be risked.

Lumb is definitely out with the arm injury that continues to hamper him, while Gurney suffered a suspected calf injury against Northamptonshire Steelbacks on Wednesday night.

Newell is hopeful it is a minor ailment, but Jake Ball should come into the side for the first time since breaking his foot against Somerset in May.

New Zealand international James Franklin could also step into Gurney's shoes having taken two for 26 from three overs on Wednesday – his first wickets for the club.

Notts had not always looked like they would get out of the group having lost two of their first three home games.

"We were inconsistent at the start but we've got eight wins out of 13. That's good. Nine out of 14 would be very good," Newell said.

"You are never going to win every game. We've had a couple rained off and a couple of defeats. We can live with that.

"The games at Leicester away and Derby at home are where we turned it around. Two strong batting performances gave us the confidence we've built on since then."

Those confidence levels must be sky high after the 22-run win against Northants.

Alex Hales (28), Steven Mullaney (22), Riki Wessels (64) and Samit Patel (42) got Notts off to a flying start which was well backed up by the bowlers.

Newell was not entirely happy though as he felt Notts could have made more than 174 for six.

"The top four were terrific. They got us to a position with four overs to go where we should have got 190," he said.

"The only aspect of the game we were disappointed with was that but we felt 175 was still strong and we backed that up with good bowling."

 

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