Trent Rockets Edge Birmingham Phoenix in Tense Three-Wicket Victory to Stay in Top-Three Hunt

Trent Rockets secured a thrilling three-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred women’s competition at Edgbaston, keeping their hopes of a top-three finish alive. Captain Nat Sciver-Brunt starred with both bat and ball, but a late collapse nearly derailed the Rockets' chase before they held their nerve to cross the finish line with three balls to spare.

Chasing a modest target of 113, the Rockets appeared to be cruising thanks to a solid all-round performance from Sciver-Brunt, who claimed 2-16 with the ball before scoring a crucial 34 off 25 balls. Her composed batting, combined with contributions from the top order, had set the Rockets up for what seemed like a straightforward victory.

However, Sciver-Brunt's dismissal triggered a dramatic collapse, with the Rockets losing four wickets for just 12 runs, slipping from 89-3 to 101-7. With 12 runs still required and the pressure mounting, the match hung in the balance.

Controversy added to the tension when Josie Groves was caught off a full toss from Emily Arlott with nine runs needed. The third umpire, after a review, adjudged the delivery to be a no-ball due to its height, as Groves had advanced down the pitch when she made contact. This decision reduced the target to seven runs, and Groves capitalized, hitting the winning runs to secure victory with just three balls remaining.

Earlier in the match, Birmingham Phoenix had been rescued by a remarkable 95-run partnership between opener Sterre Kalis (47 off 45 balls) and Richa Ghosh, who helped the team recover from a disastrous start. Phoenix had been reeling at 9-3 after just 15 balls, but Kalis and Ghosh's stand, the highest fourth-wicket partnership in The Hundred women’s competition, gave their side a fighting chance with a total of 112-6.

Despite the valiant effort, the defeat means Birmingham Phoenix are now eliminated from the competition. For Trent Rockets, the victory lifts them to fourth place, level on points with Northern Superchargers in third. With one group match remaining, the Rockets' fate is in their hands as they prepare to face second-placed Oval Invincibles on Wednesday. A win would secure their spot in the next round, marking their fourth consecutive victory in the tournament.