Riki Wessels will captain Notts Outlaws in Friday’s NatWest T20 Blast fixture against the Birmingham Bears.

The 29-year-old, who led the side during the pre-season Barbados T20 Cup, is also set to take on the role against Somerset in the LV= County Championship fixture at Taunton starting on Sunday.

With Chris Read unavailable through injury and James Taylor on duty with England, Nottinghamshire Director of Cricket Mick Newell believes Wessels possesses all the necessary attributes to lead the side.

“With Chris and James unavailable for this next couple of matches, and with Riki having done the job in pre-season, it’s a fairly easy appointment," said Newell.

“He’s someone that’s established in the team and has credibility as a good solid player and as a hard working professional.

“His tactical knowledge and input has grown over the past couple of years and recent experience playing overseas has given him that greater background knowledge of the game.”

Wessels made the move to Trent Bridge ahead of the 2011 season and he has since made 58 first-class appearances for Nottinghamshire, averaging 34.77. 

He is the Club’s reigning Player of the Year following a 2014 campaign that brought 1,213 runs in the four-day arena at an average of 44.92.

It also proved to be a landmark year for Wessels in Twenty20 cricket with 470 NatWest T20 Blast runs at 42.72 followed by a nine-game spell with the Sydney Sixers in the Australian Big Bash.

The 2015 campaign to date has included two standout performances from Wessels with the bat; his 16th career first-class century against Durham and 67 off 41 balls in the NatWest T20 Blast victory over the same opposition.

“He’s taken the job of wicketkeeper recently, he fields at short-leg, he’s moved up and down the batting order; Riki will do anything for this team,” Newell added. 

“With the way he thrives on new challenges and with the respect he commands from his teammates, I’m sure he’ll do a good job.”

Wessels' opening assigment is the trip to Edgbaston to face Birmingham Bears in the NatWest T20 Blast on Friday, followed by the LV= County Championship fixture away to Somerset starting the following Sunday.

 

Notts Outlaws NatWest T20 Blast Fixtures & Ticket Information

v Northants Steelbacks – Saturday 27 June 2.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Worcestershire Rapids – Friday 3 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS
v Derbyshire Falcons – Friday 10 July 6.30pm BUY TICKETS

Need more information? Call our ticket office on 0844 8118711.