Mark Ealham maintained his outstanding start to the season with 4-39 from ten overs as Notts Outlaws secured a comfortable win over Irelenad in the group stage of the Friends Provident Trophy.

Adam Voges was the pick of the batsman with 60 as Notts posted a total of 217-9 which Ireland never looked like beating.

Chris Read was in outstanding form behind the stumps and the Notts captain enjoyed a tidy knock of 45 after Ireland won the toss and elected to bowl.

“The ball did a bit early on and I though that Adam Voges was exceptional,” said Read.

“The lower order muscled a few over the boundary to help our total and I am a pretty  lucky captain to have bowlers at my disposal of the quality that we had in the side today.

“I am very happy with our progress but it is very early in the season and all we can do is concentrate on the game against Yorkshire at Headingley.”

Notts struggled early on as Bilal Shafayat and Mark Wagh were dismissed without scoring but after opener Will Jefferson went for seven, Voges and Samit Patel steadied the ship with a partnership of 76 before Read, Graeme Swann (21) and Mark Ealham (21) put pressure on the Irish bowlers.

Ryan Sidebottom made inroads when Irish captain Will Porterfield hit him to Graeme Swann for the first wicket and Ireland faded fast.

Andrew White hit a confident 30 only to be run out after athletic fielding from Voges who gathered and threw to Graeme Swann on the dive.

Stuart Broad and Charlie Shreck finished with 1-17 and 1-20 respectively and Swann (1-32) ended the resistance when he bowled out tail-ender Eaglestone for two.