Notts Outlaws captain James Taylor is looking for big improvements heading into back-to-back NatWest T20 Blast matches next week.
The 18-run loss to the Birmingham Bears was the Outlaws’ third at home in the current campaign and Taylor admitted they just weren’t good enough in places.
With the Leicestershire Foxes and Derbyshire Falcons the opponents next week, Taylor is looking to get back on track and resurrect quarter-final hopes.
“We didn’t get the partnerships we needed today and ultimately that is why we lost,” said Taylor.
“When you have international spinners like Jeetan Patel and Shoaib Malik bowling they are always going to hard to get away.
“However, we lost wickets too quickly in the middle and we just weren’t good enough after the powerplay.”
Having restricted the Bears to 156 the Outlaws would have been confident in chasing the total down and Taylor revealed he was happy with the bowling performance.
“It was a decent performance and it was a really good effort to restrict them to under 160,” said Taylor.
“Our fielding was also exceptional and Riki Wessels is an outstanding fielder with great hands who reaped the rewards for all his hard work.”
With the next fixture away at the Foxes before another local derby against the Falcons, Taylor is hoping the big crowds will get behind the Outlaws as they look to pick themselves back up.
“The buzz word in T20 is momentum but at the moment we are struggling,” said Taylor.
“We are very hit and miss and can’t put a performance together with both bat and ball in the same game which is a big problem.
“The crowds have been exceptional all the way through so it’s extra disappointing as we are normally great at home.
“The lads should be up for every game but the local derbies are extra special and I hope we will get a big crowd behind us next Friday which will bring a great atmosphere.”