NOTTS OUTLAWS (H) – 22 July 2016
Few more explosive batting units exist than that of Notts Outlaws, as Birmimgham can testify from recent meetings. The NatWestT20Blast can be a hostile place for bowlers at the best of times but rarely more so than when the Bears face the Outlaws, as vividly illustrated by last season’s two tussles.
Ian Bell and Will Porterfield’s combined 75 from 46 balls, on the way to a seven-wicket triumph.
Brian Halford, Club Journalist
At Trent Bridge, Varun Chopra’s stylish 80 for the Bears was trumped by Alex Hales who powered his way to 86 from 43 balls with eight sixes as the Outlaws won by eight wickets. But back at Edgbaston revenge was sweet for Birmingham who charged along at ten an over, thanks mainly to Ian Bell and Will Porterfield’s combined 75 from 46 balls, on the way to a seven-wicket triumph.
This time round the Outlaws will include Aussie big-hitter Dan Christian who proved, on Big Bash duty for Hobart Hurricanes in last winter’s Big Bash, that he can hit a long ball, to say the least. At Brisbane he launched one of the biggest sixes of all time – a 117-metre blow which landed on the roof of the GABBA!
The Bears and the Outlaws did not meet in 20-over cricket until 2010 – and since then the East Midlanders have had slightly the better of it, winning five of the eight clashes. With this season’s Edgbaston duel scheduled for the final round of games, both sides will be hoping to have qualification secured before the toss goes up for this one.
Snap up some tickets
Tickets are on sale at Edgbaston.com/Tickets and are priced at £15 in the Early Bird window. Prices will rise on 20th April to £19. As ever all Under 16s have FREE entry to every group game fixture, but must be accompanied by an adult.