Ben Duckett, Chris Nash keep Notts' unbeaten record intact against Derbyshire

An unbroken partnership of 98 between Ben Duckett and Chris Nash helped Notts Outlaws maintain their unbeaten start to the Vitality Blast competition with an eight-wicket victory over Derbyshire Falcons at Trent Bridge.

Duckett was unbeaten on 57 from only 31 deliveries and Nash hit 40 from 33 as the Outlaws strengthened their lead at the top of the North Group with their second victory over Derbyshire in five days.

The visitors were restricted to 142 for 8 after being asked to bat first by home skipper Dan Christian. Billy Godleman top-scored with 47 from as many balls, while Jake Ball took 3 for 28 for the hosts.

Notts romped to victory with 5.5 overs remaining, after Duckett swept Matt Critchley for his ninth boundary, to add to the one six he had hit earlier.

In pursuit of just 143 Notts flew out of the traps before losing Alex Hales for 22 from only seven balls, which contained two sixes and two fours.

When Joe Clarke fell to Critchley for 16 the Falcons had some hope for the first time in the evening but that was snatched away as Duckett and Nash manipulated the bowling at will.

Duckett's second 50 of the competition came from 28 deliveries and Nash, playing the 500th match of his career across all formats, struck five boundaries and a six.

Earlier, the evening couldn't have got off to a better start for the hosts, with an important breakthrough from the first ball of the contest. Wayne Madsen, promoted to open against a battery of different spin options, swept Imad Wasim into the hands of Duckett on the leg side fence.

Leus du Plooy and Luis Reece each made only five as the Powerplay overs only produced 29 runs.

Godleman held the middle order together but only three other players reached double figures; Critchley, Anuj Dal and Brooke Guest, who hit three boundaries in a spirited final couple of overs.

The contest was a quiet affair for Samit Patel; who wasn't required to bat but took 2 for 26 from his four overs on the evening that he reached 100 consecutive T20 appearances for the Outlaws.

His current run of matches began in July 2012 and he has now featured in 186 domestic matches, six more than nearest rivals, Ryan ten Doeschate and James Hildreth.

Notts had gone into the contest knowing that they had already secured their tenth quarter-final appearance in 11 seasons and can guarantee home advantage at that stage if they win either of their remaining matches, at Leicester on Friday evening or at home to Durham on Sunday.

Derbyshire used nine different bowlers during the evening and remain at the foot of the table with only one victory. They close out a disappointing campaign with a weekend trip to face Yorkshire Vikings in Leeds.