Trent Rockets emerged victorious in a thrilling encounter against Birmingham Phoenix at Edgbaston, keeping their Hundred campaign alive. The Rockets, who entered the match tied on points with Northern Superchargers, secured a three-wicket win with just three balls remaining.
Birmingham Phoenix, without injured captain Sophie Devine, endured a shaky start, losing three wickets within the first 15 balls. Alexa Stonehouse dismissed Ellyse Perry, while Nat Sciver-Brunt accounted for Fran Wilson and Amy Jones. However, Sterre Kalis and Richa Ghosh steadied the innings with a record 95-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Kalis scored 47 off 44, while Ghosh contributed 41 off 36.
Sciver-Brunt, who finished with figures of 2 for 16, and Ashleigh Gardner, who took 2 for 17, played crucial roles in restricting Phoenix to 112 for 6.
In response, Trent Rockets lost early wickets, but Sciver-Brunt and Gardner put the visitors in control of the chase. However, a flurry of wickets between balls 70-80, including a run-out from Perry, made the task more challenging.
A debatable no-ball call reprieved Josie Groves, and Katie George joined Groves at the crease to guide the Rockets home.
“We probably got ahead of ourselves a bit earlier and gave ourselves a bit of relief towards the end,” said Sciver-Brunt. “It’s still all in our hands, if we beat the Oval Invincibles in our last game then we will be in that top three.”
