South Africa’s versatile all‑rounders Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk were the decisive factors in London Spirit Women’s first triumph of the current Hundred season, as they handed the Trent Rockets a comprehensive five‑wicket defeat on a breezy afternoon at Nottingham’s historic Trent Bridge. Kapp’s spell with the ball was nothing short of spectacular. In just 20 deliveries she claimed three wickets for a miserly 12 runs, a figure that reads 3‑12 on the scoreboard.
Remarkably, the first run off her bowling did not come until the eleventh ball of her spell, underlining the pressure she applied from the outset. The Rockets were bowled out for 142‑7, a total that also featured a disciplined performance from England’s off‑spinner Charlie Dean, who returned figures of 2‑18, and a resilient innings from home‑grown captain Ash Gardner, who topped the scorecard with a gritty 34. The chase for the Spirit, however, was anything but smooth. After a solid start, the scoreboard slipped from an unblemished 55‑0 to a precarious 67‑4 when hard‑hitting powerhouse Grace Harris, who had been cruising at a blistering 37 runs off just 20 balls, was dismissed.
The momentum could have swung in the Rockets’ favour at that juncture, but the young South African wicket‑keeper‑batter De Klerk steadied the ship. Coming in at a crucial stage, she struck an unbeaten 41 runs off only 22 balls, a blitz that included a flurry of boundaries and a decisive six that cleared the deep square‑leg fence. Partnering her was the experienced Marie Kelly, who contributed a valuable 39, and together they shepherded the side to the target with three balls remaining.
The winning shot was a six off the bowling of Georgia Adams, who attempted a full‑toss delivery over the covers. De Klerk timed it perfectly, sending the ball soaring over the boundary and sealing the win for the Spirit. This victory was particularly sweet given that the team had suffered a demoralising opening loss to the Manchester Super Giants, where they were bundled out for a paltry 80 runs. The Rockets themselves entered the match on the back of a crushing nine‑wicket thrashing of Birmingham Phoenix, in which they restricted the fellow Midlander side to a meagre 64.
The day also produced several notable moments for the Rockets despite the defeat. England’s rising star Sophia Dunkley made a quick‑fire 23 off 15 balls, punctuating her innings with three consecutive fours off a delivery from Deandra Dottin. Dottin, however, endured a tough outing, returning figures of 0‑32 from her allotted ten balls after being hit for boundaries by both Gardner and Sophie Luff, who added a useful 24 off 19.
Gardner herself managed to hit three fours in succession off De Kerl’s bowling, but it was De Kerl’s own aggressive batting that ultimately decided the contest; she struck two fours and three sixes, including a late‑match maximum off a full‑toss from Gardner that rolled across the covers. The other scheduled women’s match of the day between the Super Giants and the Phoenix was abandoned after relentless rain rendered the Emirates Old Trafford pitch unplayable, meaning no action took place at the 11 am kickoff.
Looking ahead, the Hundred’s league tables continue to evolve as teams vie for the limited playoff spots. Fans can keep up with the latest standings, highlights, and breaking news via the dedicated Sky Sports app, which also offers live streaming of all matches. Sky Sports also provides a WhatsApp channel for real‑time updates, video clips, and in‑depth analysis.
After a packed weekend featuring four games per day, the schedule returns to a more manageable format on Monday. The day will feature a single double‑header, with the Southern Brave women hosting MI London at 3 pm, followed by the men’s fixtures at 6.30 pm.
Both encounters will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, giving viewers the chance to catch the action as the Hundred season progresses toward its climax.