TRENT BRIDGE — England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt produced a captain’s innings, a blistering 52 from just 29 balls, to lead Trent Rockets to a tense five-wicket consolation victory over Birmingham Phoenix in their final match of The Hundred women’s competition on Friday evening. In a dead rubber with nothing but pride on the line, Sciver-Brunt’s masterclass ensured the Rockets finished their campaign on a high, chasing down a target of 129 with two balls to spare.
The victory, while not enough to secure a place in the knockout stages, provided a fitting farewell for the home crowd and a reminder of the Rockets' potent firepower. Chasing 129, the Rockets’ innings mirrored the stop-start nature of their tournament, but Sciver-Brunt’s composure under pressure proved the decisive factor, guiding her team home after a mid-innings wobble had threatened to derail the chase.
A Captain's Knock Seals the Chase
The run chase began shakily for the Rockets, losing opener Bryony Smith for a duck in the first set of five balls. However, Sciver-Brunt entered at number three and immediately took control, striking the ball with authority to all parts of a packed Trent Bridge. Her innings was a blend of power and precision, featuring eight fours and one six, as she took a particular liking to the bowling of Australian all-rounder Tess Flintoff.
Speaking after the match, a relieved Sciver-Brunt reflected on her performance and the team's desire to end well. "It was really important for us to finish the competition with a win, especially in front of our home fans. We haven't had the tournament we wanted, but this shows the character in the group. I just wanted to be there at the end and finish the job for the team."
The Rockets' chase was not without its nervous moments. Even with Sciver-Brunt at the helm, the required run rate crept up as wickets fell at inopportune times. Key contributions came from:
- Marie Kelly (22 from 18 balls), who provided stability in a crucial partnership.
- Sophia Dunkley (17 from 14), whose quick cameo kept the scoreboard ticking over.
- Jo Gardner (11* from 9), who held her nerve to hit the winning runs alongside her captain.
Phoenix Post a Competitive Total
Earlier, after being put in to bat, Birmingham Phoenix posted a competitive 128 for 6 from their 100 balls. The innings was built around a composed 43 from 38 balls by opener Sophie Devine and a late flurry from Australian batter Tess Flintoff, who smashed 26 from just 14 deliveries to give the Phoenix bowlers something to defend.
The Rockets' bowling attack, led by the impressive 19-year-old left-arm spinner Josie Groves, kept the Phoenix batters in check for large periods. Groves was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with excellent figures of 2 for 19 from her 20 balls, including the key wicket of the dangerous Amy Jones. Her ability to bowl economically in the middle phase stifled the Phoenix momentum.
Phoenix captain Sophie Devine acknowledged her team's total was slightly below par. "We felt we were maybe 10 or 15 runs short. Nat played a fantastic innings, she's a world-class player and she showed that tonight. We fought hard, but sometimes you just have to tip your hat to a special performance."
A Season of What-Ifs for the Rockets
The victory provided a bittersweet end to a frustrating campaign for Trent Rockets, a team packed with international stars that never quite clicked consistently. Plagued by injuries and sporadic form, they finish the group stage in fifth place, well outside the qualification spots for the knockout stages at Lord's.
The season was a story of missed opportunities, with several matches slipping from their grasp in the final moments. However, the emergence of young talents like Josie Groves and the consistent brilliance of Sciver-Brunt offer positive signs for the future. Their final performance, led from the front by their skipper, was a testament to the fighting spirit within the squad.
Looking Ahead to Next Year
For Birmingham Phoenix, the loss concludes a similarly disappointing campaign, finishing one place below the Rockets in sixth. Both teams will now look to regroup and rebuild for the 2025 edition, with the player draft and retention process looming large in the off-season.
The match, and indeed the Rockets' tournament, was ultimately defined by one player. Nat Sciver-Brunt’s innings was a showcase of her class and why she is considered one of the finest cricketers in the world. In a dead rubber, she played with the intensity and skill of a final, providing the Trent Bridge faithful with a memorable winning farewell and giving her team a platform of confidence to build upon for next year.
As the teams left the field, the result solidified the final standings for the women's competition, with Southern Brave, Oval Invincibles, and Welsh Fire progressing to the knockout phase. While the Rockets and Phoenix watch from home, they do so knowing that the margin for error in The Hundred is incredibly fine, and sometimes, even the brilliance of a world-class captain is just enough to secure a consolation prize.