Notts Outlaws host the Birmingham Bears at Trent Bridge tonight as two heavyweights of the county circuit go head-to-head.
Notts will be looking for revenge against the Bears after Warwickshire, called Birmingham for the T20 Blast, beat the Outlaws at Trent Bridge by 53 runs two days ago in the County Championship.
The home side will be looking to repeat last year’s result after they beat the Bears by eight wickets with Alex Hales hitting six sixes in a row.
Video: Interview with Dan Christian
Captain Dan Christian is expecting a stern test against the bears as he prepares to face them for the first time in T20 cricket.
“They’re a very good side and have lots of quality across the board.
“T20 is dangerous as it can take just one over to change the game or one bloke that has a really good day.
“I’ve been lucky enough to play at some awesome grounds around the world and Trent Bridge is certainly one of them.”
Director of cricket of Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club Mick Newell is conscious not to overwork his players.
“There’s an awful lot going on and its our job to make sure the players are as fresh as they can be on the field,” he said.
“We don’t want to waste energy in practise that’s just the nature of it when you’re playing four, five or six times a week.”
He added the players were excited to face Warwickshire in front of a large crowd.
Video: Interview with Greg Smith
Batsman and occasional leg-break bowler for Nottinghamshire Greg Smith said the start to the County Championship had been “testing”.
He said: “Now with a few of the England boys going away, we’re missing Alex Hales, Stuart Broad Jake Ball it’s time for the squad to really pull together and get the job done in this format.
“All the players have the date in the calendar of the first 2020 match, it has been on the horizon for a while and the players are looking forward to starting the tournament quickly.”
