Birmingham Bears extended their lead at the top of the Vitality Blast North Group table with a win over Notts Outlaws at Trent Bridge.

The visitors chased down a target of 58 within six overs, with Lyndon James and Jack Haynes the sole batters to get into double figures for Notts having been inserted. 

Fazalhaq Farooqi - bowling for the first time for Notts after the washout against Leicestershire Foxes -  was the architect of the Outlaws’ consolation wicket, but Rob Yates’ calculated 35 not out guided the Bears to a sixth victory on the bounce.

The Outlaws lost three wickets on nine runs as Bens Martindale - bowled - and Slater - caught at deep point - fell in consecutive balls to George Garton in the third over, before Joe Clarke was caught behind off Dan Mousley in the following set. 

It proved to be a start from which the Outlaws could not regain their footing, with the hosts reduced to 49/7 with five overs left as regular wickets fell. 

James clubbed Jacob Bethell for a straight four in the 17th over, but those runs proved to be the final additions to the Outlaws’ total as he was caught at deep mid-wicket and Olly Stone at short third three balls later.

In reply, Ed Barnard skied Afghan Farooqi to Clarke at mid off in the third over with the score on 24.

But Mousley (10*) supplemented Yates’ accomplished innings to see the Bears to victory. 

Notts now face four away games on the bounce to conclude their Vitality Blast campaign.