T20 Blast bite-size preview: Nottinghamshire Outlaws

Cricket365
May 14, 2014

Coach Mick Newell's promotion to the upper echelons of the England and Wales Cricket Board's selection staff won't detract from his first love at Nottinghamshire.

Brief Overview: Coach Mick Newell's promotion to the upper echelons of the England and Wales Cricket Board's selection staff won't detract from his first love at Nottinghamshire. Having topped the North Division last year, nothing less will suffice this time, too.

Venue: Although the Trent Bridge pavilion remains within the architectural parameters of its 1889 foundation there has been no shortage of redevelopment recently, starting with the Radcliffe Road Cricket Centre, which was completed in 1998. Since then the striking Fox Road stand, which includes a modernistic aircraft-wing roof, has been changed, while the West wing and Parr stand on the Bridgford Road side of the ground was replaced in 2008. The effect of those alterations is that the ground is now completely encircled by buildings tall enough to cut off any breeze, and there has been a noticeable increase in swing – which was already abundant – since that last development.

Batsman To Watch: Look no further than Twenty20 International opening batsman Alex Hales, whose recent loan to Worcestershire – and ODI snub – will push the hard-hitting right-hander to succeed even more.

Bowler To Watch: Former England fast bowler Ahmed Shahzad's career hasn't brought many highlights lately – but a wise move to Nottinghamshire will surely inspire a new lease on life.

Overseas Signings: The arrival of Australian Peter Siddle to Nottinghamshire's County Championship XI has proved a treat – and hopefully this will be maintained into the T20 Blast.

Know Your Mascot: Nuts the squirrel will gather more than acorns, and will be at the ready to retrieve sixes aplenty lofted far and beyond by Hales and company.

Cricket365's Prediction: Winners.