Kapp Shines as Oval Invincibles Knock Out Trent Rockets to Secure Knockout Spot in Women’s Hundred

Oval Invincibles secured their place in the knockout stages of the women’s Hundred competition with a composed five-wicket win over Trent Rockets at Trent Bridge, ending the Rockets' campaign in the process. South African all-rounder Marizanne Kapp was the star of the show, delivering a match-winning performance both with bat and ball.

The Invincibles' victory came after a shaky start in their chase of a modest 92, a target set by the Rockets who struggled against Kapp's disciplined bowling. Put into bat, the Rockets were rocked early, losing three wickets for just three runs. Kapp struck twice in her opening set, dismissing Bryony Smith and Grace Scrivens, while Rachel Slater bowled Nat Sciver-Brunt for a duck to leave the hosts in tatters.

Ash Gardner was the lone standout for the Rockets, playing an aggressive innings of 43 from 26 balls. Her efforts, however, weren’t enough as she fell shortly after the halfway mark, caught and bowled by Mady Villiers. Gardner’s departure triggered another collapse, with the Rockets managing just 31 runs from the final 48 deliveries to end on a subpar 91-8.

Chasing a seemingly straightforward target, the Invincibles also found the going tough on a tricky pitch. Lauren Winfield-Hill and Alice Capsey both fell in quick succession, with Heather Graham and Alana King striking in consecutive deliveries to leave the Invincibles struggling at 33-3. But Kapp’s calm presence at the crease proved decisive.

Kapp anchored the innings with an unbeaten 26 off 24 balls, stabilizing the chase alongside Paige Scholfield, who contributed a vital 24. Their 51-run partnership for the fourth wicket turned the tide firmly in the Invincibles' favor. Even though the Rockets fought back with the wickets of Scholfield and Villiers, Kapp held her nerve to guide the Invincibles home with six balls to spare, securing their spot in the eliminator.

Kapp’s all-round brilliance, which included taking 3-8 with the ball, ensured that the Invincibles not only won but did so with a professional performance. The victory sets up a thrilling eliminator clash against London Spirit at The Oval on Saturday.

For the Rockets, the defeat marked the end of their campaign, falling short of the knockout stages after a promising start to the tournament. The Invincibles, on the other hand, will be aiming to carry forward this momentum as they eye a place in the final and a shot at lifting the trophy.