Trent Rockets went top of The Hundred women’s table after a fourth win on the bounce against Birmingham Phoenix at Trent Bridge that all but assures them a spot in the latter stages of the tournament.
Sophia Dunkley (65 off 37 balls) produced another batting masterclass to extend her advantage at the top of the run-scoring charts, her third straight fifty seeing Rockets chase down 123 with 16 balls to spare.
Even the setback of losing two greats of the modern game to consecutive balls – Nat Sciver-Brunt for 24, and then Ash Gardner bounced out by Lauren Filer – failed to derail the home side.
Earlier, 19-year-old talent Davina Perrin (18 off 13) had started energetically for Phoenix, but when she miscued a Kim Garth (4-23) delivery to mid-on, Birmingham’s familiar batting failing showed again.
Alice Capsey’s challenging tournament continued, clean-bowled by Charley Phillips (1-22) for one, before Ellyse Perry departed for the same score when her Australian team-mates Gardner (1-30) and Beth Mooney combined to great effect.
When Tammy Beaumont (24 off 21) was run out by a bullet throw from Dunkley, Phoenix were four down for just 55 and were indebted to Emma Lamb (45 off 34) and Annerie Dercksen (21 off 16) to at least see them up to a competitive total.
But, with Dunkley lurking, 122 was never likely to be enough and a third defeat in five severely dents Phoenix’s hopes of making the knockouts.
Fire boost hopes with win over rival Super Giants
Welsh Fire boosted their chances of qualification with a three-wicket win over Manchester Super Giants on the back of an inspired bowling performance at Emirates Old Trafford.
Fire’s attack restricted the home side to a paltry 85-9, and that’s with 14 of those runs coming off the last six of their 100 balls.
Ireland’s Orla Prendergast – a replacement for New Zealand’s Sophie Devine – was the star for Fire, claiming 4-18, the best figures in women’s competition this year.
Despite the low target, Fire made a bit of a meal of their chase, losing seven wickets before getting over the line with nine balls to spare – England spinner Sophie Ecclestone’s superb figures of 3-14 not quite enough to turn the match in Manchester’s favour.
The result moves Welsh Fire up to 12 points in fourth, tucked one spot and two points behind their opponents in the table, with two games to play.
Southern Brave and Trent Rockets are all but assured of the top two spots in the table and a place in the knockout stages, leaving only one space in the women’s eliminator up for grabs.
What is happening in The Hundred on Thursday?
After Wednesday’s four games in a day, Thursday sees a return to a single double-header and a capital city derby clash as London Spirit women’s team host MI London from 3pm before the men’s sides square off from 6.30pm. Catch both fixtures live on Sky Sports.
Watch every match of The Hundred through to the finals on Sunday August 16. Watch The Hundred and more contract-free on NOW
