England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt timed her introduction to perfection as 32 off 19 balls batting down the order secured Trent Rockets’ progress to the final of The Hundred with a seventh successive victory.
Chasing 118 to win, the league leaders slipped to 10-3 against Southern Brave, the lowest powerplay score in the history of the competition, and even though passing 27 guaranteed their place in the final, the result remained in doubt.
Sciver-Brunt came in at number seven with the score on 66-5 and with 31 deliveries remaining – Ash Gardner having top-scored with 37 – and her experience avoided further drama.
She was run out going for a second which would have clinched victory, but Rockets still won with two balls to spare.
Southern Brave’s 117-5 was built around their top order with Maia Bouchier scoring 38, Lizelle Lee 31 and Laura Woolvaardt adding 24.
They will get a second chance as they had already secured a place in the eliminator on Friday at The Kia Oval. Brave will discover their opponents on Tuesday, who will either be third-placed SunRisers Leeds or fourth-placed Manchester Super Giants who play each other at Emirates Old Trafford in their final group match.
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Georgia Adams was run out in unfortunate fashion after Sarah Glenn fumbled a drive from Nat Sciver-Brunt and deflected the ball on to the stumps
Sciver-Brunt said: “I’m happy to be on the winning side. The wicket was a bit slow, and they bowled pretty well in the first half.”
On batting down the order, she said: “It was a bit tactical and a bit injury management. We have got a lot of people in form and high on confidence.
“We have balanced our side nicely and building up to Sunday we sort of know what we need to do.”
Watch every match of The Hundred through to the finals on Sunday August 16. Stream contract-free on NOW.
