![](https://essexcricket.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/NottsTeam.jpg)
Essex Eagles head into the NatWest T20 Blast Quarter-Finals on Monday evening at Trent Bridge to face Notts Outlaws.
The men from Nottingham have been struggling for form in the Royal London One-Day Cup and Specsavers County Championship formats but finished top of the South group in the shortest form of the game, after recording 8 victories and 2 defeats.
Like their Quarter-Final opponents, Notts Outlaws started the campaign with a defeat succumbing to a defeat against Birmingham Bears at Trent Bridge, which was to be their only defeat at home in the competition this year.
Following back-to-back defeats in the opening two fixtures, the Outlaws bounced back and recorded 3 wins in the months of May and June. West Indian, Andre Russell helped the cause with bat and ball in the two matches he played (56 runs and 4 wickets).
![ruseelnotts](https://www.https://http://essexcricket.org.uk//wp-content/uploads/2016/08/ruseelnotts.jpg)
The team were unbeaten for the remainder of the competition, ending with 3 victories against Yorkshire, Warwickshire and Leicestershire to earn a home Quarter-Final.
Riki Wessels has been a revelation this season and is the Club’s leading run scorer with 360 runs from his 10 innings with a 45.00 average. The Australian born, wicket-keeper batsman top scored against Worcestershire with 80* off a staggering 35 balls. This knock, included a 17-ball half century which is the fastest of the tournament this season.
![wessels](https://www.https://http://essexcricket.org.uk//wp-content/uploads/2016/08/wessels.jpg)
The Outlaws have been captained by Overseas player, Dan Christian in 2016 who has also been impressive with the bat, hitting 304 from 9 innings. The big-hitting Australian has hit the most sixes in the squad with 23.
Three bowlers have been ever-present for Nottinghamshire with Harry Gurney leading the wicket-taking totals with 14 victims. Gurney has been supported by the experienced Samit Patel (12) and Steven Mullaney (10).
![gurneynotts](https://www.https://http://essexcricket.org.uk//wp-content/uploads/2016/08/gurneynotts.jpg)