Notts Outlaws welcome Michael Lumb and Harry Gurney back for their NatWest T20 Blast match against Yorkshire Vikings, whilst captain James Taylor has been released from England duty to play.
Lumb returned from an arm injury to score 73 in the LV= County Championship match against Somerset, whilst Gurney, who missed the Somerset and Birmngham Bears fixures with a hamstring niggle, replaces the rested Ben Hilfenhaus in the Outlaws' squad.
Gurney is excited to see new signing Dan Christian perform in a Notts Outlaws shirt for the first time and admits it will be a relief to see the Australian all-rounder targetting opposition bowling rather than his own.
“When we started the competition this year we had a number of changes in personnel with players coming and going which was a change to our usual settled side over the years,” Gurney said.
“Now we have most people back from injury, which creates selection dilemmas for the coaches but also allows us to hopefully build some momentum.
“Dan has a serious record in T20 and he has just been depositing me and the other bowlers all over the place in the nets.
“He will likely come in and fill the Darren Sammy role, and James will add his explosive nature to the side, having shown it on numerous occasions last season.”
Gurney, who put himself through a strenuous bowling stint in the nets at Trent Bridge earlier today, admits it will be relief to get back onto the field, not least because it means he won't have to watch.
“It has been a frustrating week or so with the little niggle I had but I am back to fitness now and raring to get back out there,” the 28-year-old said.
“It hasn’t been enjoyable sat on the sidelines as I am very nervous watching the boys play and if there is a tight end to the game I go to the back of the changing room and listen to the crowd and their reaction instead.
“There will be an extra incentive for us to win this game after losing earlier in the season and if you look at the group table it is quite an important game for both teams.
“The Vikings have a lot of quality in their side with Aaron Finch one of the standout batsmen as he is the second best T20 batsman in the world.
“However, even if you get him out early you can’t take your foot off the gas as they have threatening players all the way down.”
Notts Outlaws squad to face Yorkshire Vikings (from): Jake Ball, Dan Christian, Luke Fletcher, Will Gidman, Harry Gurney, Michael Lumb, Steven Mullaney, Samit Patel, Greg Smith, Brendan Taylor, James Taylor (captain), Riki Wessels and Sam Wood.
Yorkshire Vikings squad to face Notts Outlaws (from): Andrew Gale, Jonny Bairstow, Gary Ballance, Tim Bresnan, Aaron Finch, Matthew Fisher, Ryan Gibson, Jack Leaning, Alex Lees, Glenn Maxwell, James Middlebrook, Steven Patterson, Richard Pyrah, Will Rhodes.
Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information
v Northants Steelbacks – Saturday 27 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Worcestershire Rapids – Friday 3 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 10 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
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