Steven Mullaney is adamant the Outlaws can still improve as they seek a sixth successive win of the 2020 Vitality Blast campaign.

Notts welcome Derbyshire to Trent Bridge for the second time in a week tomorrow evening, with a 13-man squad named.

Mullaney, whose opportunities with the bat have been limited by the blockbusting form of the Outlaws top order, feels an attacking mentality has been key to the side’s success.

“We’ve batted really well at the top of the order – and, because of that, when anyone further down the order has come in, they’ve been able to stay on the front foot,” he said.

“That’s something we set out to do in this competition, so it’s pleasing that it’s come off, but the best thing is that we still feel we can get better.

“To be top of the table and still feel there’s room to improve our batting, bowling and fielding is a great place to be.”

The Green and Golds secured a thrilling 13-run victory over Derbyshire on Sunday, with Joe Clarke’s 57 and Jake Ball’s key wickets proving crucial.

In different times, it would have been a game to savour for a packed Trent Bridge crowd – but Mullaney has been heartened by the competitive spirit still present in behind-closed-doors fixtures.

“We miss the noise of the crowd, but the excitement and the butterflies before the game are still there,” he said.

“We’ve not had any problems zoning into the action, and obviously we knew there would be thousands watching us on the live stream, particularly for a derby game.

“It’s a game that means a lot to all the players and fans, so it was great to get over the line.”

Mullaney has faced just 12 deliveries across two matches in this season's Blast, such is the form of the rest of the batting line up.

The right-hander moved up to number six to see out the closing stages of the Notts innings against Derbyshire, and believes the fluidity of the Outlaws’ batting order is a strength.

“We all buy into the flexibility of the batting order,” he said.

“Some days it means you get your opportunity, other days it’s somebody else’s turn – but if that contributes to us winning games, I don’t think anybody’s bothered.

“I went in at six on Sunday because we wanted a left-hand/ right-hand combination to counteract the short boundary.

“You’re never sure what a good score is at Trent Bridge, but we were happy to score 198, and leave them needing almost ten an over.

“To close that game out was great, especially considering we’re playing them again so soon.”

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