Ben Duckett delivered another impressive half‑century and, together with a clutch spell from Mohammad Amir, helped the Trent Rockets maintain their position at the summit of The Hundred standings with a narrow five‑run triumph over the SunRisers Leeds at the historic Trent Bridge venue. The Rockets chose to bat first and immediately set the tone thanks to the debut performance of Aneurin Donald, who was drafted into the side for his inaugural tournament match.
Coming in at number three, Donald unleashed a rapid 40‑run onslaught in just 19 balls, punctuated by three towering sixes that gave the Rockets a blistering start and forced the in‑form Duckett into a supporting role. When Donald was dismissed, Duckett assumed the mantle of responsibility. He compiled a brisk 64 off 47 deliveries, marking his third fifty of the campaign and, in doing so, overtook Phil Salt to become the leading run‑scorer in the men’s Hundred competition at that stage. Duckett’s innings featured a 50‑run partnership with Tim David, built in just 35 balls, before he fell to a delivery from Nathan Ellis after mistiming a scoop shot for the second consecutive innings.
David, after a modest 17 from 20 balls, finished strongly by dispatching a six off Matt Potts, helping the Rockets post a total of 146 for 4. In the chase, SunRisers opener Mitchell Marsh displayed dominant form, partnering with Zak Crawley to steer the side to 32 for 1 at the close of the powerplay. Crawley accelerated against the spin of Calvin Harrison and Mitchell Santner but was eventually trapped by Santner’s guile, bowled for 26. Harry Brook then arrived at the crease with his characteristic aggression, racing to 24 off 14 balls before a missed chance by Sam Billings allowed the Rockets to regain momentum.
Both Brook and Marsh slowed after their explosive starts, leaving the required run rate manageable at 30 runs from the final 16 balls. Brook was eventually caught by Duckett at extra cover off Amir’s bowling for 46, and Amir later dismissed Marsh behind for 41, leaving SunRisers needing 25 from the last ten deliveries.
Matt Henry bowled an economical spell, conceding just nine runs in the penultimate five‑ball segment, and Lewis Gregory sealed the win by defending the final 16 runs in the last over. After the match, Duckett, crowned the Meerkat Match Hero on Sky Sports Cricket, praised Donald’s powerplay contribution: "Aneurin played extremely well in the powerplay, took a lot of pressure off me and got us off to a great start. Delighted with that win, it was a fantastic team effort." He also reflected on his own innings, noting the challenges of the sweeping conditions and the presence of spin in the middle overs, but expressed satisfaction that his approach paid off on the day. In a separate fixture, Rashid Khan achieved his maiden five‑wicket haul in The Hundred, complementing a blistering display from Will Jacks and Nicholas Pooran as MI London secured a 45‑run victory over Manchester Super Giants at the Kia Oval, propelling the home side to second place on the table.
Opting to bat first, Jacks set an aggressive tone, scoring 34 off his first 18 balls with four sixes, propelling London to 45 for no loss after 25 deliveries. At number three, Pooran responded with a six off Liam Dawson and continued his onslaught, reaching a half‑century in just 25 balls. Jacks contributed a rapid 62 off 31 balls, and the partnership between Pooran and Sam Curran added 44 runs in 23 balls before Curran was stumped by Jos Buttler off Noor Ahmad.
Pooran then accelerated further, hitting six, six, four off Gus Atkinson to reach 50 from 25 balls. The innings concluded with MI London posting 183 for 6, their highest total of the season.
In response, Aiden Markram opened the chase for the Super Giants with a ferocious 38 off 17 balls, taking the score to 55 for no wicket. However, Rashid Khan turned the tide, removing Tim Seifert and Jos Buttler for 17 and 2 respectively, and later dismissing Heinrich Klaasen and Tom Moores in quick succession. He also claimed Liam Dawson’s wicket, completing a five‑for 17 spell that crippled the Super Giants' chase, which ultimately fell short at 138.
Rashid Khan, also named a Meerkat Match Hero, reflected on his performance: "I needed those wickets. I'd had a bit of a quiet tournament overall. I just tried my best to keep things simple and hit the right area consistently and I got the results.
Runs on the board makes a difference, but it's about hitting the right area consistently and making it as hard as possible for the batters." Both matches highlighted the high‑octane nature of The Hundred, where aggressive batting, strategic powerplays, and decisive bowling spells can swing outcomes in a matter of overs. The Rockets’ victory keeps them atop the league, while MI London's win solidifies their push for a playoff berth. Fans can continue to follow the competition, watch live streams on NOW, and stay updated with the latest tables, squad announcements for the 2026 season, and in‑depth analysis across Sky Sports platforms.
The tournament will culminate with the finals on Sunday, August 16, offering another round of thrilling cricket action.