Notts Outlaws continue their quest for glory in the NatWest T20 Blast with a home fixture against Durham Jets under the Trent Bridge floodlights.

All-rounder Steven Mullaney is keen for the side to get back on track after a disappointing defeat to Worcestershire Rapids, the Outlaws failing to build on their excellent start.

“It was frustrating, especially after performing so well the week before against Lancashire,” he said.

“What we have done is look for reactions, train well and we’ll be boosted by having Alex Hales back. His power at the top of the order is important, especially alongside Michael Lumb.

“Sam Wood was excellent last week. He came in after Colin Munro had shown us how he liked to hit boundaries, and there was a lot of pressure.

It’s great to see a younger lad take responsibility and wickets like that.”

Durham have spent much of the last fortnight in and around Nottingham, their LV=CC washout at Trent Bridge following a pair of Second Eleven T20 fixtures the preceding week. With an idea of their danger men forming, Mullaney expressed the importance of keeping their key performers playing to the Outlaws’ tune.

“Ben Stokes is hitting the ball nicely, it was good to see him in action,” said Mullaney.

“He played against our second team last week so we knew of his threat. All we have to do is make sure that he hits it where we want him to, and that we don’t offer him easy wickets.

“They’ll come back with a slightly different lineup, but then so will we.”

The Outlaws were whispered as one of the early favourites for the tournament, thanks to their international pedigree throughout the order, but Mullaney insisted that the team were grounded and focused on their own performances.

“We’re not bothered about paper talk,” he said.

“No one really spends time looking at odds. A lot of people touted us and Hampshire as early favourites, but we’ve seen first hand that a team can pull out an excellent performance or a poor one at any point, and change everything.”

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast fixture and ticket information:

v Durham Jets – Friday 30 May 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Birmingham Bears – Friday 13 June 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 20 June 6pm BUY TICKETS
v Yorkshire Vikings – Saturday 28 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Leicestershire Foxes – Sunday 20 July 2.30pm BUY TICKETS

Want the best seats in the house? Call 0844 8118712 for hospitality or click here for our £30 steak, chips and cricket package.