DOUBLE HEADER: Three Positives and Three Negatives From Notts Outlaws’ Start To The 2026 Blast

Back-to-back losses are never ideal for a side with Finals Day ambitions, but early-season T20 cricket is rarely straightforward. There have been periods where Notts have looked dangerous, but also moments where familiar problems have reappeared.

The loss at Trent Bridge to Yorkshire just reeked of rustiness and a team not quite at the top of their game and maybe doesn't see this competition as the focus and priority this season, whilst today's trip to Old Trafford was more about a Lancashire side hitting their straps.

Positive #1 – George Munsey Looks Like A Serious Signing

If there’s one immediate success story, it’s George Munsey. The Scottish opener already looks perfectly suited to Trent Bridge cricket and the aggressive identity Notts want to play with. Against Lancashire Lightning, he flew to 35 from just 18 balls at a strike rate approaching 200 during the chase.

Even in defeat, his innings briefly gave Notts momentum and showed exactly why the club targeted him.

The biggest positive is how naturally he seems to complement Joe Clarke. Notts have often relied heavily on Clarke to dominate the powerplay over recent seasons, but Munsey’s willingness to attack immediately could ease that pressure.

If the partnership clicks consistently, it could become one of the most dangerous opening combinations in the North Group.

Positive #2 – Mohammad Ali Already Looks Valuable

Replacing experience in T20 cricket is never easy, but Mohammad Ali has made a quietly impressive start. The Pakistan seamer picked up a wicket against Lancashire and generally looked composed despite the difficult conditions created by a 208-run first innings from the hosts.

What stands out most is his control. While some of the attack struggled when both Yorkshire and Lancashire accelerated, Ali rarely looked flustered and continued attacking good areas. He has certainly looked the best of the pack of seamers to date.

For a bowling unit that has occasionally lacked consistency in recent years, his calmness could become incredibly important. There’s already a sense he may end up being one of the smarter overseas signings in the Blast this season.

Positive #3 – The Aggressive Intent Is Still There

Despite losing both matches, Notts haven’t played timid cricket. That matters. Too often in T20 cricket, teams start slowly after defeats and retreat into conservative batting. The Outlaws haven’t done that. Even chasing 209 at Old Trafford, they came flying out of the blocks with 60-1 after six overs.

The intent remains aggressive. Solving issues is much easier when the philosophy is still intact. The concern would be if players started second-guessing themselves or drifting into passive cricket, but that hasn’t happened yet.

The challenge now is sustaining that pressure beyond short bursts.

Negative #1 – The Bowling Has Been Put Under Huge Pressure Too Often

Conceding 208 is always going to make life difficult. Lancashire’s top order were able to dictate the innings for long periods, with Keaton Jennings leading the charge early before others capitalised later.

The wider issue is that Notts have struggled to halt momentum once sides begin accelerating. There have been overs where games have drifted incredibly quickly. Against Lancashire, multiple bowlers disappeared at over 15 runs per over during the powerplay and middle stages, immediately placing the chase under major pressure.

In modern T20 cricket, every team is going to concede big overs occasionally. The concern for Notts is how quickly innings have unravelled once opposition batters gain control.

Negative #2 – Joe Clarke Hasn’t Fired Yet

When Notts are at their best, Joe Clarke usually sits right at the centre of it. That hasn’t happened so far. The Outlaws captain has managed only modest returns in the opening matches and was dismissed for 21 against Lancashire just as he looked ready to accelerate.

It’s not panic territory — Clarke is still one of the most destructive domestic T20 batters in the country — but his importance to this side is massive.

Because Notts bat so aggressively, they often rely on Clarke to either dominate the powerplay or stabilise chaos if wickets fall early. Without a major contribution from him yet, the batting has lacked its usual authority. The encouraging part is that he still looks fluent at times. One big innings probably changes the entire conversation.

Negative #3 – The Middle Overs Feel Unsettled

The clearest issue across the opening games may actually be role definition. There have been moments where the innings has lost shape once the powerplay ends. Partnerships haven’t been sustained long enough and there’s a feeling that the middle order is still figuring out exactly how it wants to function.

Jack Haynes, Freddie McCann and Tom Moores all have talent, but the balance currently feels slightly uncertain between rebuilding and attacking. The best T20 sides are incredibly clear on tempo through overs 7-15. Right now, Notts occasionally look caught between gears.

That may improve naturally as combinations settle, but it’s something the coaching staff will already be looking at closely.

Final Thoughts

Two defeats are frustrating, but it’s far too early for panic.

There are enough signs already to suggest this Outlaws side still has the talent to become dangerous once things click. Munsey looks exciting, Mohammad Ali appears a smart addition, and the aggressive identity hasn’t disappeared.

But the Blast moves quickly. If Notts don’t tighten up with the ball and establish clearer middle-order roles soon, they risk falling behind the pace in a brutally competitive North Group.