A fine all-round performance from Rehan Ahmed and a composed unbeaten 17 from Ben Cox carried Trent Rockets to a thrilling three-wicket win over Birmingham Phoenix in the Men’s Hundred at Trent Bridge on Wednesday night.
The result secured second place in the standings for the Rockets and a spot in the Eliminator. Crucially, finishing second means they are protected if rain intervenes at The Oval — in such a case, they will advance directly to Sunday’s final at Lord’s against two-time champions Oval Invincibles.
Ahmed Spins and Smashes
After winning the toss and bowling first, the Rockets restricted Phoenix to 111/9. Ahmed was outstanding, taking three wickets for just 15 runs in his 20 balls, while Ben Sanderson and George Linde picked up two apiece. Phoenix batters Dan Mousley (26), Will Smeed (23) and Ben Duckett (20) all made starts but none were able to build on them.
In reply, New Zealand’s Trent Boult struck early, removing Tom Banton for 1, but Ahmed again stepped up with the bat. His 37 from 23 deliveries, alongside Joe Root’s 25, put on 66 for the second wicket and gave Rockets the platform.
Phoenix threatened a late twist as Jacob Bethell (2-22) and Liam Patterson-White (2-25) pegged back the chase, Patterson-White bowling skipper David Willey with a stunning delivery that seamed back to shatter the stumps. But Cox held his nerve with a crucial unbeaten 17, sealing victory with one ball to spare.
Coxy was always going to do it, I had full trust in him. There was a lot of assistance for spinners on this pitch. We train on similar surfaces so it was about going out there and doing the same thing. I’ve enjoyed the opportunity I’ve been given and hopefully I can do it in the next couple of games.
Sciver-Brunt Leads Women’s Rockets to First Home Win
In the women’s match, Nat Sciver-Brunt struck a sparkling 52 from 29 balls as Trent Rockets claimed a tense three-wicket win over Phoenix — their first home victory of the season.
Chasing 124, Sciver-Brunt set the tempo with a 46-run stand alongside Grace Scrivens (16). Even after a mid-innings wobble sparked by Phoebe Brett’s 3-19 and Hannah Baker’s key strike to dismiss Sciver-Brunt, Rockets held their nerve.
Alana King added a steadying nine before falling, but Jodi Grewcock struck the winning boundary with three balls to spare. Earlier, Phoenix opener Emma Lamb’s unbeaten 56 had guided her side to 123-6, but it proved insufficient.
I would have liked to be there at the end and made it a bit calmer for everybody, but it wasn’t to be. As a batting group, we’ve always said if we can get ahead of the game, we should try and stay ahead. That was the tempo I wanted to go at.
She added: “It’s always nice to win at your home ground in front of your home fans and we haven’t been able to do that until today.”
What’s Next
The league stages conclude on Thursday, when Southern Brave face Welsh Fire in the final men’s and women’s fixtures before the play-offs.
