Trent Rockets launched their The Hundred Men’s 2025 campaign with a commanding performance, defeating Birmingham Phoenix comfortably at Edgbaston. The Rockets controlled proceedings from the outset, marking a strong start to their season.
Match Analysis
Trent Rockets kicked off their campaign in The Hundred men’s competition with an effortless victory over the Birmingham Phoenix at Edgbaston.
122-6 from the Phoenix never looked enough, and David Willey’s Rockets side were led to a comfortable six-wicket victory by a strong bowling effort spearheaded by Lockie Ferguson (3-20) and a chase fronted by Tom Banton (42 from 29).
Asked to bowl first, the Rockets attack made early inroads, removing Phoenix’s top three of Ben Duckett, Will Smeed and Aneurin Donald to leave the home side 24-3 after the 25-ball power play.
Sam Cook’s brilliant work off his own bowling to run out Jacob Bethell left Phoenix reeling, but a defiant Liam Livingstone (39) and Joe Clarke (29) partnership led a rebuild. Livingstone played a captain’s knock, hitting three sixes in his 30-ball stay, while Clarke struggled for fluency; a brilliant set from Ferguson removed them both.
Despite some tight Rockets death bowling, a couple of late blows from Dan Mousley and Benny Howell brought Phoenix closer to a respectable total.
In reply, although Tim Southee (2-36) bowled Joe Root early on, the Rockets began aggressively against the trio of Kiwi quicks. Banton and Rehan Ahmed (25 from 16) struck some lusty blows to quickly bring the runs required to below a run-a-ball.
Although Ahmed and Banton were both removed by Benny Howell (2-25), who was the pick of the Phoenix bowlers, Max Holden (22 from 13) led the Rockets comfortably home with 22 balls to spare.
Meerkat Match Hero, Lockie Ferguson, said: “It was a good night, I started well with Dave. The boys bowled excellently tonight and gave a reasonable total for the batters to chase. It was nice to get one under the belt early on in the comp.
“The short boundary on the leg side was intimidating for sure but the boys looked at change ups and hit the yorker well. We got early wickets that really helped us through the middle.”
On their fixture against the Northern Superchargers on Sunday, he added: “It’s a one-day turnaround before we play the Superchargers so we’ll scope them out tomorrow. They’re another strong side who played well the other night. It’s important to go and put on a show in front of our home fans.”
Match Summary
Birmingham Phoenix vs Trent Rockets, Match 4
Birmingham Phoenix (Men) 122/6 (100 balls)
Trent Rockets (Men) 123/4 (78 balls)
Trent Rockets (Men) won by 6 wickets
SCORECARD
Partnership
The perfect start to 2025 for Trent Rockets ????#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/iml2gUALqH
— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 8, 2025
Match Stats
Birmingham Phoenix Fall of wickets: 1-1 (Ben Duckett – 0.4 ov), 2-3 (Will Smeed – 1.1 ov), 3-12 (Aneurin Donald – 3.2 ov), 4-26 (Jacob Bethell – 5.5 ov), 5-89 (Liam Livingstone – 16.1 ov), 6-90 (Joe Clarke – 16.4 ov)
Trent Rockets Fall of wickets: 1-26 (Joe Root – 3.4 ov), 2-77 (Rehan Ahmed – 9.4 ov), 3-87 (Tom Banton – 11.3 ov), 4-113 (Marcus Stoinis – 14.2 ov)
Wagon Wheel
Playing XI
Birmingham Phoenix
Trent Rockets
Match Details:
Date: Friday, August 8, 2025 18:30
Venue: Edgbaston, Birmingham
Toss: Birmingham Phoenix (Men) elected to bat
Umpires: Graham Lloyd (England) Steve O’Shaughnessy (England) Paul Baldwin (England TV)
Match Referee: James Whitaker (England)
© Cricket World 2025
