South African all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk were the catalysts behind London Spirit Women securing their inaugural win of The Hundred campaign, delivering a decisive five‑wicket triumph over Trent Rockets at Nottingham's historic Trent Bridge. The match marked a turning point for the Spirit, who had struggled in the opening fixtures, and highlighted the impact of experienced internationals in the fast‑paced format. Kapp's spell with the ball was nothing short of spectacular. She bowled a tight 20‑delivery spell, conceding just 12 runs while claiming three crucial wickets, an economy that can be summarised as 3‑12.
Remarkably, she gave away her first run only on the 11th ball of her spell, underscoring her disciplined line and length. Her wickets came at a pivotal moment when Trent Rockets were cruising at 142 for 7, a score that had seemed comfortably within reach for the chasing side. England's off‑spinner Charlie Dean also contributed with figures of 2‑18, while home captain Ash Gardner led from the front with a solid 34 runs, anchoring the Rockets' innings. The chase for London Spirit began positively, but the momentum shifted dramatically after the explosive Grace Harris was dismissed.
Harris had been the engine of the innings, blasting 37 runs off just 20 balls, and her departure sent the Spirit wobbling from a promising 55‑0 to a precarious 67‑4. It was at this juncture that Nadine de Klerz stepped into the spotlight. De Klerz, who remained unbeaten on 41 runs off 22 balls, partnered effectively with Marie Kelly, who contributed a steady 39.
Their partnership steadied the ship and steered the chase back on course. With just three balls remaining, de Klerz sealed the victory by striking a six over deep square leg off Georgia Adams' delivery, a moment that will be replayed in highlight reels for weeks to come. This win was especially sweet for the Spirit, who had suffered a heavy opening loss to Manchester Super Giants, where they were bowled out for a meagre 80 runs. The defeat had raised questions about the team's ability to compete in the high‑intensity environment of The Hundred.
Conversely, the Rockets entered the match on the back of a dominant nine‑wicket demolition of Birmingham Phoenix, in which they restricted the Phoenix to a paltry 64 runs. The Rockets' confidence was high, but the Spirit's disciplined bowling and strategic batting turned the tables. The match also featured several noteworthy performances on the Rockets' side.
Sophia Dunkley provided a quickfire cameo, scoring 23 runs off just 15 balls and hitting three consecutive boundaries off Deandra Dottin. Dottin, however, endured a tough day with the ball, returning figures of 0‑32 from her ten deliveries, a stark contrast to her usual impact. Ash Gardner and Sophie Luff, who added 24 runs off 19 balls, also managed to hit Dottin later in the innings, showcasing the depth of the Rockets' batting lineup.
De Klerz faced aggressive bowling from Gardner, who hit her for three fours in succession. Yet, de Klerz answered in kind, delivering a powerful display of boundary hitting that ultimately clinched the match. She struck two fours and three sixes, including a towering six off a full toss from Gardner that sailed over the covers, emphasizing her ability to dominate in pressure situations. The day's schedule also included a second women's fixture, which was unfortunately abandoned due to rain at Emirates Old Trafford.
The Super Giants and Phoenix were unable to commence their match at the scheduled 11 am start, leaving fans disappointed but hopeful for a makeup game later in the tournament. Looking ahead, the tournament's latest tables reflect the shifting dynamics after this upset, with London Spirit climbing the rankings and the Rockets needing to regroup. Fans can continue to follow the action through live streaming on NOW, catch up on the latest news and video highlights, or download the Sky Sports app for on‑the‑go updates. Sky Sports also offers a WhatsApp channel for real‑time sports news, analysis, and exclusive content.
The weekend's packed schedule of four games per day will give way to a more traditional double‑header on Monday. Southern Brave's women's side will host MI London at 3 pm, followed by the men's teams facing off at 6:30 pm.
Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, providing ample opportunity for cricket enthusiasts to witness the drama and excitement that The Hundred continues to deliver.