What Is the Lancashire vs Notts Playing XI for Vitality Blast 2026 Match 16?

Buttler, Salt, Livingstone, and Wood are all sitting out Match 16 on 25 May. IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 is the following day, and none of them are travelling to Old Trafford when their franchises are still in the tournament. Jennings leads a trimmed-down Lancashire side that’s already shown its hand in Match 2. For Notts, the XI picks itself with one exception: Linde’s absence from Match 8 is still unexplained, and Clarke has a genuine selection call to make.

Lancashire’s IPL Absence, Explained

Four of Lancashire‘s best T20 players will not be at Emirates Old Trafford on 25 May. Jos Buttler and Luke Wood are in the Gujarat Titans squad; Liam Livingstone and Phil Salt are with the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. IPL 2026 Qualifier 1 falls on 26 May, the day after this fixture, which means none of them are available regardless of how their franchise’s season ends. The IPL Final is scheduled for 31 May, so Lancashire’s earliest realistic reunion with their full T20 squad is June.

Lancashire vs Notts Vitality Blast 2026 Playing XI

Lancashire’s Match 2 XI against Surrey on 22 May is the confirmed baseline. Keaton Jennings captains. Harry Singh was in the named 14-man squad but didn’t play, and he’s the only realistic change if Lancashire rotate.

Nottinghamshire’s confirmed Match 8 XI, with the Linde question the only live selection call heading into Sunday.

McDermott and Green Carry Lancashire’s Attack

With the headline names absent, the two overseas slots belong to Ben McDermott and Chris Green. McDermott made his Lancashire debut in Match 2, hitting 12 from 10, including a six, before Tom Curran dismissed him. He’s the batting anchor at four in an otherwise unfamiliar middle order. Green is entering his third consecutive season with Lancashire on a full group-stage deal. He scored 35 and took wickets against Surrey, and across two seasons at Old Trafford, he’s taken 64 wickets. Mahmood and Anderson complete a bowling unit that is genuinely strong even without Wood.

Linde’s Absence Is Notts’ Biggest Selection Puzzle

George Linde is contracted for the full 2026 Vitality Blast group stage but didn’t play Match 8 against Yorkshire. Mohammad Ali came in as a late addition after Peter Siddle was ruled ineligible, which effectively filled Linde’s overseas slot in that match. At Emirates Old Trafford, spin averages 27.1 per wicket, and Linde, as a left-arm spin all-rounder, would offer Clarke a different dimension to Pocklington’s off-spin. Lancashire lost five wickets to spin in Match 8, which makes Old Trafford a ground where a second spinner could cause real damage. Clarke’s call on Linde could be the most consequential team selection decision in this fixture.

If Linde replaces Pocklington, how much does that shift Notts’ balance at Emirates Old Trafford, where spin averages 27.1 per wicket? Tell us your predicted XIs in the comments.

FAQs

Is Jos Buttler playing in Lancashire’s Vitality Blast 2026 match on 25 May?

Buttler is unavailable for Match 16. He’s in the Gujarat Titans’ IPL 2026 squad, with Qualifier 1 on 26 May and the Final on 31 May, so his earliest possible return to Lancashire is June.

Is Ben Duckett playing for Nottinghamshire in the 2026 Vitality Blast?

Duckett played Match 8 on 22 May, scoring 29 from 18. ESPNcricinfo specifically described it as a ‘rare appearance in this competition’, suggesting his availability across the group stage won’t be consistent.

When will Livingstone and Salt return to Lancashire from IPL 2026?

Neither player is available before Match 16 on 25 May. Both are in the RCB squad for the playoffs, with Qualifier 1 on 26 May and the Final on 31 May, so the Lancashire vs Notts Vitality Blast 2026 playing XI features neither of them.

Does George Linde play for Notts in the Vitality Blast 2026?

Linde is contracted for the full group stage but was absent in Match 8. Mohammad Ali took the second overseas slot against Yorkshire after Siddle was ruled ineligible, leaving Linde’s role for Match 16 an open question.

Disclaimer: This Exclusive News is based on the author’s understanding, analysis, and instinct. As you review this information, consider the points mentioned and form your own conclusions.

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