Sciver-Brunt Leads Rockets to First Win as Spirit’s Streak Ends

Trent Rockets claimed their maiden victory of this year’s Hundred women’s competition with a convincing 33-run triumph over defending champions London Spirit at Lord’s, Sport360NG reports.

Chasing 150, Spirit were bundled out for 116 in 95 balls, with left-arm spinner Kirstie Gordon producing a match-winning spell of 4-19. The result halted Spirit’s unbeaten run and left Welsh Fire as the only side yet to win in the tournament.

The hosts made a steady start, with Kira Chathli and Georgia Redmayne putting on 26 for the first wicket, but the innings unravelled after the pair’s departure. Six wickets fell for just 44 runs, including the prized scalp of in-form Australian Grace Harris, who managed only eight.

Charli Knott provided brief resistance with 33 off 25 balls, but the Rockets’ spin duo of Gordon and Ash Gardner (2-14) kept the scoring rate in check, sealing the visitors’ first points of the season.

Earlier, England skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt anchored the Rockets’ innings with an unbeaten 51 from 29 balls, building on Bryony Smith’s explosive 42 off 23 deliveries. Smith and Nat Wraith launched the innings with a rapid 62-run stand in 35 balls before both fell in quick succession to Eva Gray, who was outstanding with 4-19.

Sciver-Brunt and Gardner then added 60 for the third wicket, but Spirit clawed their way back, claiming four wickets for 11 runs in the closing stages. Even so, Sciver-Brunt finished with a flourish, striking a six off Charlie Dean from the final ball to push Rockets to 149-6.

The victory lifts Southern Brave clear at the summit, while keeping Rockets’ hopes alive. For Spirit, the defeat highlights their heavy reliance on Harris, whose 165 runs at an average of 82.5 this season starkly contrast with the rest of the top order’s average of just 12.6.

Up Next

On Friday, Northern Superchargers’ women face Birmingham Phoenix at 15:00 BST, aiming to keep pace with the league leaders. The men’s fixture between Phoenix and the Superchargers follows at 18:30 BST. Live coverage will be available on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds, and the BBC Sport website and app.