Notts talisman Joe Clarke said he and his team-mates will be relishing the winner-takes-all nature of Friday’s Vitality Blast quarter-final, as Notts Outlaws prepare for knockout cricket in Taunton.

The Outlaws take a 13-strong party to the South group table-toppers in a bid to secure a spot at Edgbaston on Finals Day on Saturday 15 July.

Luke Fletcher, returning from a spell on the sidelines, rejoins the squad as Shaheen Afridi departs for international duty. 

Although their Friday night hosts enjoyed the smoother group campaign of the two outfits, two-time champions Notts refuse to be given the underdog tag, according to Joe Clarke.

“I don’t think we’ll consider ourselves as an underdog, and I think Somerset will know that,” Clarke said, “In a way, I actually think that they’ll have not wanted to play us out of the Northern group sides that went through.

“They’ll be talking about the dangers that we have as an outfit and the individuals that can change games and win games of cricket for us - it’s going to be a great game and we’re looking forward to it.”

Somerset finished the league stage of the Vitality Blast eight points better off than Notts, but the beauty of knockout cricket - says Clarke - is that league form is thrown out the proverbial window.

“As Pete (Moores) alluded to when we came in for training, it’s knockout cricket now; every game that we play is a final and it’s whoever rocks up and plays the best cricket on the day that goes through,” he added.

In recent years, the Outlaws have largely played quarter-finals in front of their own support. The backing of the Nottinghamshire faithful has always played a key role in successes, however Clarke suggests that a trip away from Trent Bridge could fall in their own favour: “It can put a little bit of pressure on when playing at home, there is an expectation that you'll win because you finish first or second in the group."

“We have previously felt that expectation to win when you play third or fourth from the South Group - but something that I haven’t done before is an away quarter-final and I guess the pressure’s all on them from the home fans.”

Knockout games, indicatively, require knockout performances; as a frontman for the Outlaws, Clarke naturally carries his fair share of the pressure. Having already broken personal scoring landmarks this season in the County Championship, the batter played down the importance of pulling a similar rabbit out of the hat in the Blast: “Ultimately, as long as we have a trip to Edgbaston coming up, then it’s not about my personal achievements.

“Obviously I want to help contribute to the team’s efforts - if I’m out in the middle and playing the way I can, then that’s going to lead to positive things for the team.

“It would be nice to get a score on Friday and help us make that next step, but if I get out first ball and we get to Edgbaston then I’ll be happy.”

World Cup winner and Outlaws stalwart Alex Hales stepped into the skipper’s role for the first time against Leicestershire Foxes, standing in place of the injured Steven Mullaney. With a win and safe passage to the knockouts secured, Clarke gave his fellow opener full marks for his deputising.

“It was a tight game and he made really good decisions in terms of when to bowl certain people, and who to hold back. For someone who has played so much T20 cricket, it’s nice to have him in that role where he can offer the side his experience.

“He’s played in every sort of game of cricket you can imagine - World Cup semi-finals and finals - and his experience was invaluable on the field. All the pressure was on us leading into that game and we had to find a result.

“We only found out on that morning that Mullaney was going to miss out - but Alex stepped into those shoes and filled them perfectly.”

The Outlaws take on Somerset in the quarter final of the Vitality Blast on Friday 7th July at 6.35pm with the game being broadcast live on Sky Sports.