The Trent Rockets halted the Manchester Super Giants' flawless start to the 2026 edition of The Hundred with a commanding 31‑run triumph at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, a win powered by twin half‑centuries from Sophia Dunkley and Sophie Luff and a decisive four‑wicket spell from Ash Gardner. The Super Giants entered the chase of 154 runs with confidence, but their momentum was shattered on the seventh ball when the in‑form Smriti Mandhana, who had been a constant threat throughout the tournament, was stumped for a mere four by wicket‑keeper Samantha Bates. That early dismissal set the tone, and the visitors quickly found themselves wobbling at 31 for three.
Meg Lanning, who had been denied much of the strike in the opening overs, finally asserted herself against Katie Levick's leg‑spin, playing a series of aggressive shots that hinted at a potential recovery. However, Ash Gardner turned the match decisively in the Rockets' favour. She trapped Lanning lbw for 35, leaving the Super Giants reeling at 89 for five. Gardner then switched to a brilliant fielding effort, diving at long‑off to take a spectacular catch that removed Kathryn Bryce, who had been adding valuable runs with a quick 27.
The dismissal further dented the Giants' hopes, and the pressure began to mount. A late surge from Maitlan Brown kept the Super Giants in contention for a while, but her run‑out by Georgia Adams proved to be the final nail in the coffin.
With that wicket falling, the home side's chances evaporated, and Gardner completed her spell with figures of 4 for 16, cementing her status as the match‑winner. The Rockets' innings had a rocky start of its own when they lost star batter Beth Mooney early, bowled by Grace Ballinger after Mooney attempted a pull shot that failed to rise. In the absence of Nat Sciver‑Brunt, who was sidelined with a calf injury, Sophie Luff stepped in at number three and, alongside Dunkley, took charge of the run‑chase.
Luff displayed a blend of power and precision, using her feet to guide Sophie Ecclestone into a leg‑side boundary for a maximum, and then targeting Bryce with a series of aggressive drives that resulted in three consecutive fours. Both batters then took on the bowlers, dispatching Villiers for a six over mid‑wicket. Their partnership blossomed, reaching a 50‑run stand in just 33 balls, a testament to their aggressive intent. Luff celebrated her maiden half‑century in The Hundred, eventually being dismissed for 51 after a brief cameo.
Dunkley followed suit, crafting a composed 57 before being caught at point off Ecclestone's bowling. Their combined effort propelled the Rockets past the 150‑run mark, a score that proved too lofty for the Super Giants to chase down. The left‑arm spinner for the Giants managed to bowl Bess Heath for a duck, and Villiers was caught after a brief stint, leaving the Super Giants reeling at three wickets for five runs in a fleeting comeback attempt. Despite their spirited fight, they could not prevent the Rockets from posting a formidable total.
Post‑match, Dunkley reflected on the conditions, saying, "I found the pitch a bit tricky. It wasn't my best fluency.
I tried to use the angles because I found it hard to hit down the ground." Luff added, "Luffy was outstanding as well. Just came in, got the momentum and us to a really good score." Looking ahead, the weekend promises a double‑header on Saturday, with Birmingham Phoenix hosting Welsh Fire—women's match at 11:00 am followed by the men's fixture at 2:30 pm. Later the same day, London Spirit will take on Southern Brave at Lord's, with the women's game at 2:30 pm and the men's contest kicking off at 6:00 pm.
Fans can continue to follow every match of The Hundred through to the finals on Sunday, August 16, with live coverage on Sky Sports and streaming options available on NOW for contract‑free viewing. The tournament, running from July 21 to August 16, continues to deliver high‑octane cricket, showcasing emerging talent and established stars alike, and this particular encounter highlighted the depth of skill within the women's competition, as well as the strategic acumen of teams adapting to varied pitch conditions across the season.