Notts Outlaws face the Birmingham Bears this week in the latest round of fixtures in the NatWest T20 Blast. The Bears are unfamiliar opponents for the Outlaws, having only played one another four times by virtue of separation in the group stages in recent years.

Warwickshire were one of three counties to rebrand for the newly launched NatWest T20 Blast, along with Durham and Worcestershire.

While the Dynamos became the Jets, and the Royals the Rapids, Warwickshire shifted entirely, becoming the Birmingham Bears in a bid to appeal to the city’s large population and boost attendances.

The move was met with raised eyebrows at the time, the Bears have since enjoyed a steady start to life in the NatWest T20 Blast.

The Bears currently occupy 4th place in the competition’s north group, their two wins coming from their last two outings. Firstly, a steady 25-run victory accounted for Leicestershire Foxes, before coming out of a nailbiter with Durham victorious last week. 

Their start was frustrated by the weather, their opening contest against Yorkshire was washed out without a ball bowled. After falling to a 15-run defeat to Lancashire, the side have come into a little form ahead of their trip to Trent Bridge.

Boyd Rankin is likely to spearhead the Bears’ attack, the tall fast bowler offering power and pace that will trouble any batsman. Alongside him, Jeetan Patel is one of the most respected spinners in county cricket.

Varun Chopra will be an established threat to the Outlaws, the talented England Lions opener blasting a half century against Durham Jets to seal a narrow victory in the Bears’ latest outing. Their top order also boasts a mix of experience and talented youth, county stalwart Rikki Clarke and William Porterfield complemented by Laurie Evans, who scored his career-best against Nottinghamshire at Edgbaston last summer.

Either way, it will make for an absorbing contest under the famed Trent Bridge floodlights.

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast fixture and ticket information:

v Birmingham Bears – Friday 13 June 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 20 June 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Yorkshire Vikings – Saturday 28 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Leicestershire Foxes – Sunday 20 July 2.30pm BUY TICKETS

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