Trent Rockets 114 for 7 (Sciver-Brunt 34) defeated Birmingham Phoenix 112 for 6 (Kalis 47, Ghosh 41) by three wickets
In a tense and crucial match at Edgbaston on Monday, Trent Rockets secured a vital three-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix in the Hundred, keeping their hopes alive for a spot in the knockout stages. The Rockets levelled with Northern Superchargers on points, maintaining their pursuit of a top-three finish with only three balls remaining in a nerve-wracking contest.
After winning the toss, Birmingham Phoenix elected to bat, with both teams tied on six points and eager to extend their seasons. The Phoenix faced a setback with the absence of Sophie Devine due to injury, prompting a reshuffle in their batting order. However, the new lineup struggled early on, losing captain Ellyse Perry, Fran Wilson, and Amy Jones within the first 15 balls, with the team barely reaching double digits. Alexa Stonehouse claimed Perry’s wicket, while Natalie Sciver-Brunt dismissed both Wilson and Jones in quick succession, the latter on her first ball. Sciver-Brunt later expressed satisfaction with her bowling performance, noting it was a rare moment of success and consistency for her.
Despite the early setbacks, Phoenix staged an impressive recovery, with Sterre Kalis and Indian international Richa Ghosh putting together a crucial 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket, setting a new record in the women’s Hundred. Ghosh scored 41 off 36 balls, while Kalis contributed 47 from 44, lifting the hosts to a total of 112 for 6.
Sciver-Brunt ended with figures of 2 for 16, while Australian spinner Ashleigh Gardner played a key role in the latter stages, taking 2 for 17. Needing early breakthroughs to defend their modest total, Phoenix managed to dismiss Bryony Smith and Nat Wraith within the first 20 balls. However, this brought Sciver-Brunt, the leading run-scorer in the tournament and record-holder for the highest aggregate in the women’s competition, to the crease.
With Sciver-Brunt and Gardner guiding the chase, the Rockets seemed to be cruising, but a sudden flurry of wickets between balls 70 and 80, including a crucial run-out by Perry, made the outcome uncertain. As the Rockets found themselves once again battling to cross the finish line, a controversial no-ball call gave Josie Groves a reprieve after being initially caught out. This moment proved pivotal, as Katie George and Groves managed to see the Rockets home, keeping their playoff aspirations alive.
Reflecting on the chase, Sciver-Brunt acknowledged that they had gained an early advantage, which relieved some pressure towards the end. She praised the bravery of the final batters who hadn’t faced many deliveries but stepped up to secure the win. With many close games behind them, she expressed relief at finally emerging victorious in a tight match. Sciver-Brunt accentuated that their fate remains in their hands, with a final game against Oval Invincibles determining their place in the top three.