Sophia Dunkley’s explosive 56 runs off just 33 balls powered the Trent Rockets to a narrow five‑run triumph over SunRisers Leeds in the latest Hundred contest at Trent Bridge. Dunkley, opening the innings, displayed sheer dominance, but she was well supported by fellow England international Nat Sciver‑Brunt, who added a brisk 33 from 25 deliveries, and a quick cameo from Bess Heath. Their combined efforts left the Rockets on a respectable, if modest, total of 139 for 7 after the allotted 100 balls, a score that proved just enough to defend. For the home side, Australian all‑rounder Ash Gardener (1‑18) made an early impact by dismissing opener Bryony Smith for just 10 runs off 12 balls, and she kept the Rockets’ top order in check, limiting Jess Jonassen to 19 off 18 and Phoebe Litchfield to 24 off 22.
Leeds found themselves trailing the required run‑rate, sitting at 73 for 3 after 64 balls. A spark of hope arrived when Annabel Sutherland unleashed a blistering 59 not out from only 30 deliveries, turning the chase into a thrilling contest.
However, the Rockets’ death‑over bowler Kim Garth held her nerve, delivering a tidy spell of 0‑26 and containing Sutherland’s final over, even after the Australian’s dramatic last‑ball six. The Rockets clung on and secured the win, strengthening their position in the league. The victory cements Trent Rockets in second place on the table, while SunRisers Leeds, now seventh, see their hopes of reaching the Eliminator dim further. In other Hundred action, Manchester Super Giants maintained their third‑place standing with a convincing six‑wicket win over MI London.
The London side, still winless and languishing at the bottom of the rankings, lost the toss and were forced to bat without the services of Danni Wyatt‑Hodge, who has been ruled out for the remainder of the tournament due to a calf injury. The Giants’ bowlers struck early.
Sophie Ecclestone, opening the attack for the first time this season, removed both Alice Davidson‑Richards and Hayley Matthews with consecutive wickets, leaving MI London at 1 for 2 after just eight balls. Ecclestone’s spell was both economical and incisive – she gave away only seven runs in her full quota of 20 balls, mirroring her performance against London Spirit at Lord’s earlier in the campaign. In addition to her wickets, she took two catches and executed a direct‑hit run‑out, showcasing her all‑round fielding prowess. The rest of the Super Giants’ bowling unit backed her up, applying relentless pressure that forced the London batters into errors.
Fielding captain Meg Lanning directed the effort brilliantly, taking three catches herself. When it was Lanning’s turn to bat, she partnered with Smriti Mandhana to steady the chase. The pair accumulated a modest seven runs in the first ten balls, then accelerated to 35 by the end of the powerplay, demonstrating a textbook chase of a modest target. Mandhana continued her elegant stroke‑play, adding a classy 34 as the scoreboard read 73, at which point the outcome was a matter of when rather than if.
MI London’s Melie Kerr tried to spark a comeback, dismissing both Richa Ghosh and Paige Scholfield, but the momentum was already with the Giants. Lanning’s innings ended lbw for 43, but her contribution had already set the foundation. Mady Villiers then struck the winning boundary, sealing a comfortable four‑point victory for Manchester and reinforcing their belief that they will be strong contenders as the tournament reaches its climax. Speaking after the match, Ecclestone praised her early‑innings role: "I was thrilled to bowl in the powerplay and get a few wickets.
It was about match‑ups to Hayley and I came on early. We have a solid bowling attack and a great line‑up, and I hope our good form continues. It’s nice to get straight into the powerplay, and I hope Meg gives me more opportunities there." Meanwhile, England’s medical team confirmed that Danni Wyatt‑Hodge will miss the rest of the Hundred after suffering a left calf tear during her unbeaten 52 in a narrow loss to Southern Brave on July 27. The injury was confirmed after scans and assessments, prompting MI London to bring in Ella Claridge as her replacement.
Wyatt‑Hodge now faces a tight timeline to recover in time for England’s three‑match ODI series against Ireland in September. Fans can continue to follow every Hundred fixture up to the final on Sunday, August 16, with live streaming available on NOW, free of contract obligations. The tournament’s latest tables, squad updates for the 2026 season, and additional news and video content are also accessible through Sky Sports’ platforms and WhatsApp service, ensuring supporters stay up‑to‑date with scores, analysis, and behind‑the‑scenes insights throughout the competition.