South African all‑rounders Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk were the catalysts behind London Spirit Women securing their first triumph of the Hundred campaign, delivering a decisive five‑wicket win over Trent Rockets at Nottingham. Kapp’s spell was nothing short of spectacular; she bowled a tight 20‑ball spell that yielded figures of 3 for 12, conceding her maiden run only on the 11th delivery of the innings. The Rockets were bowled out for 142‑7 at the historic Trent Bridge ground, with England’s spin ace Charlie Dean chipping in with economical figures of 2 for 18, while home‑team captain Ash Gardner contributed a solid 34 runs at the top of the order. The chase for Spirit began shakily.
After a promising start of 55 runs without loss, the side stumbled to 67‑4 as the aggressive Grace Harris, who had been blasting 37 runs off just 20 balls, fell victim to a well‑timed dismissal. At this juncture, the pressure mounted, but the young wicket‑keeper‑batter Nadine de Klerk steadied the ship.
Coming in at a crucial moment, de Klerk smashed an unbeaten 41 runs from 22 deliveries, supported by a gritty 39 from Marie Kelly. Their partnership steadied the innings and set the platform for a dramatic finish.
With just three balls remaining, de Klerk struck the winning six over deep square leg, sending the ball past Georgia Adams and sealing the victory for London Spirit. This win was especially sweet for the Spirit, who had suffered a heavy opening loss to Manchester Super Giants, being bowled out for a paltry 80 runs.
It also came after the Rockets endured a demoralising nine‑wicket defeat of Birmingham Phoenix, where they were dismissed for a meagre 64. The Rockets, however, displayed glimpses of brilliance on the day. Sophia Dunkley made a quick‑fire 23 off 15 balls, hammering three consecutive boundaries off Deandra Dottin, who endured a harsh spell of 0 for 32 from her 10‑ball spell. Later, Ash Gardner and Sophie Luff (24 off 19) added momentum, but the Rockets could not recover.
De Klerk’s innings was a showcase of power hitting. She was initially targeted by Gardner, who hit three fours in succession off de Klerk, but de Klerk responded in kind, launching two fours and three sixes of her own. Her most memorable strike came late in the innings when she dispatched a full‑toss from Gardner for a maximum over the covers, a shot that epitomised the aggressive intent that defined the match. The day’s other scheduled women’s fixture – a clash between Super Giants and Phoenix – was abandoned due to rain at Emirates Old Trafford, with the 11 am start never taking place.
This left the Spirit‑Rockets encounter as the sole women's match of the weekend, providing fans with a high‑octane display of cricket. Looking ahead, the competition’s schedule will shift back to a more traditional format after the intensive four‑games‑a‑day weekend.
On Monday, a single double‑header will be on offer: Southern Brave’s women will host MI London at 3 pm, followed by the men’s sides meeting at 6:30 pm. Both matches will be broadcast live on Sky Sports, with additional streaming options available via the NOW platform. Fans can stay updated on the latest tables, news, and video highlights by following Sky Sports on WhatsApp or by downloading the Sky Sports app. The Hundred continues to generate excitement with its blend of fast‑paced cricket, innovative rules, and a festival‑like atmosphere.
London Spirit’s comeback victory not only boosts their confidence but also underscores the impact that international stars like Kapp and de Klerk can have on the tournament. Their performances have set a benchmark for the rest of the competition, promising more thrilling encounters as the season progresses.