Notts Outlaws face a stern challenge as they bid to win the Barbados T20 Cup for the third year in a row.

The Outlaws have been drawn against NatWest T20 Blast  holders Birmingham Bears in the opening match of this year’s competition, which will be played at the 3Ws Oval over the weekend.

“We’ve enjoyed winning this tournament over the past couple of years,” said Director of Cricket Mick Newell.

“It’s a nice tournament to win. It’s a good, competitive competition, played against other counties and winning it again is what we’re aspiring to do this weekend.”

With a first-class match being played at the Kensington Oval this week, the Barbados T20 Cup has a new venue.

Inspired by three greats of Barbados and West Indies cricket, Sir Frank Worrell, Sir Clyde Walcott and Sir Everton Weekes, the 3Ws Oval is a venue that’s well known to Newell.

Notts defeated Northants there during their 2013 pre-season tour and two years earlier he had led England Lions during a four-day tour match at the same venue.

“The wicket there tends to spin quite a lot so that might affect the team we select,” said Newell.

“We’re a bit light on batting anyway without a number of players being here, but we’ll try and pick as many all-rounders as we can and try and make ourselves as strong as we can.

“It should be a good game,” he continued. “We had two good T20 games with them last year and one good 50 over game, so we came out pretty well against them in white ball cricket.

“I see it as a good opportunity for some players to stake their claim for a place when our T20 tournament starts.

“Warwickshire have a strong squad out here and would probably be stronger on paper, whatever team they put out on Saturday, than we are.

“But the great thing about T20 is one player could win it or one over could win it. Let’s hope some of our players take this opportunity.”

The Outlaws play the Bears in the opening match of the weekend and it will be followed by Northants against a Barbados Select X1 and Hampshire v Combined Campuses and Colleges.

The three winners and best-performing loser will make up the semi final draw on Sunday, with the other two losers playing off in the Plate Final.

The high-octane excitement of the NatWest T20 Blast returns to Trent Bridge in May as Notts Outlaws hope to break the 10,000 barrier for the arrival of reigning champions Birmingham Bears on Friday 15 May.

Adult tickets are available at a special price of £10 and further discounts in place for under 16s (£5), under21s (£7) and senior citizens (£7) when buying in advance. Make Trent Bridge a firm fixture for your Friday nights and secure your seats now.