Captain Steven Mullaney hailed the approach of his opening batter Ben Duckett after the left-hander set Notts' platform with 177 on day two at Lord's.
The skipper himself made 46 as Notts totted up 364 and took two late wickets - one of whom fell to the returning Lyndon James, who earned credit from Mullaney - to leave his side in a solid position, ahead by 253.