Wayne Madsen insists Derbyshire will have to be at the ‘top of their game’ if they are to register Royal London Cup victory at neighbours Nottinghamshire next month.

The County Ground side have enjoyed an excellent start in the 50-over format, topping their North Group with two wins and two no-results from their first four matches.

That has included successes over Durham and Worcestershire, chasing down victory targets to win by a comfortable seven-wicket margin on both occasions.

But batsmen and former skipper Madsen is expecting a much tougher time of things when they travel to the John Fretwell Complex Sookholme, home of Welbeck Cricket Club, for their next game on Sunday July 24.

“The fact is they have a number of players who are potential match-winners, so we know we have to be at the top of our game to get a win,” said Madsen.

“Michael Lumb and Riki Wessels have already scored a heck of a lot of runs for them so they are important, but they have got depth all the way through and a number of international players.

“Samit Patel has been particularly good for them in one-day cricket over a number of years and then they have Harry Gurney, a former England bowler leading their seamers.

“I’m quietly hoping that Jake Ball will be on international duty! But he could be someone we are coming up against and he is a quality bowler who has come on in leaps and bounds. It’s clearly going to be a tough ask.”

On the flipside, Madsen points out that Derbyshire can call on a number of high-calibre performers in the one-day arena too.

He believes the current squad has the strength in depth to go to the knock-out stages and beyond.

Madsen added: “With the ball, Ben Cotton has started off really well and got us off to a few good starts. He’s a young fast bowler who is very exciting and someone to look out for.

“And the way our top order batsmen are playing they are all capable of getting big scores at the moment. Chesney Hughes and Wes Durston have both been out with injuries and could be back in – I’m not sure – and Ben Slater has come in and done really well.

“The way both teams are performing, it suggests we are both going to be fighting for spots at the top of the table. It will be a huge game all round.”

There are still a few hospitality places available at £40 per person, which includes admission, parking at £5 per car, a three-course Sunday lunch, a VIP seating area and a dedicated bar area.

Tickets for the game at Welbeck are available from www.nottsccc.co.uk and are priced at £10 for adults, £5 for juniors and £7 for senior citizens (over 65) and under-21s.

Ground admission in inclusive of access to the ground and seating in any stand apart from the members’ pavilion.