The Trent Rockets broke Manchester Super Giants' flawless start to The Hundred with a commanding 31‑run win at Old Trafford Cricket Ground, a triumph anchored by twin half‑centuries from Sophia Dunkley and Sophie Luff and a decisive four‑wicket spell from Ash Gardner. Chasing a modest target of 154, the Super Giants stumbled almost immediately. On the seventh ball of their innings, the ever‑dangerous Smriti Mandhana was caught out of a short‑pitched delivery, stumped for just four runs by wicket‑keeper Samantha Bates.
That early dismissal set the tone, and the visitors soon found themselves reeling 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 comeback. However, the momentum shifted dramatically when Ash Gardner struck.
She dismissed Lanning lbw for 35, leaving the Super Giants wobbling at 89 for five. Gardner then turned her attention to the field, taking a spectacular catch at long‑off to dismiss Kathryn Bryce for 27, further denting the home side's hopes. Late‑order power hitting from Maitlan Brown kept the game alive for a while, but a crucial run‑out by Georgia Adams ended Brown’s innings and effectively extinguished any realistic chance of a recovery. Gardner capped her spell with figures of 4‑16, sealing the victory for the Rockets.
The Rockets themselves faced an early setback when their star batter Beth Mooney was bowled by Grace Ballinger after a mistimed pull that failed to lift off the pitch. In the absence of Nat Sciver‑Brunt, who was sidelined with a calf injury, Sophie Luff stepped into the No.3 slot and, alongside Dunkley, took charge of the innings. Luff used her feet expertly, nudging the ball into the leg side for a massive boundary and then targeting Bryce, who was dispatched for three consecutive fours. Both batters then accelerated, sending the ball over mid‑wicket for sixes and building a rapid 50‑run partnership in just 33 deliveries.
Luff celebrated her maiden half‑century in The Hundred, reaching 51 before being caught shortly thereafter. Dunkley, not to be outdone, crafted her own fifty, eventually being dismissed at point by Ecclestone after scoring a well‑made 57. Their partnership not only set a solid platform but also propelled the Rockets to a total that comfortably exceeded the 150‑run mark, a score that proved too much for the Super Giants to chase.
The match also featured a flurry of other notable moments from The Hundred’s broader schedule. Highlights included SunRisers Leeds’ 45‑run win that eliminated Birmingham Phoenix, Phoebe Litchfield’s record‑breaking fastest fifty in the women’s competition, and Sikandar Raza’s explosive cameo that helped MI London clinch a derby victory over the Spirit. Meanwhile, Jos Buttler etched his name into the record books for the Manchester Super Giants, and Ben Duckett shone as the Rockets maintained their top‑of‑the‑table position, with Rashid Khan claiming a five‑wicket haul for MI London. In the latter stages of the Super Giants’ innings, left‑arm spinner Bess Heath was bowled for a duck, and Villiers fell to a stumping by Gardner for just five runs.
The home side lost three wickets for five runs in quick succession, a collapse that underscored the Rockets’ dominance throughout the match. 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 – the women’s game at 11 am followed by the men’s contest at 2:30 pm. Later that afternoon, London Spirit will face Southern Brave at Lord’s, with the men’s match scheduled for 6 pm.
Fans can continue to follow every game of The Hundred up to the finals on Sunday, 16 August, with live coverage available on NOW, offering a contract‑free viewing experience. Overall, the Rockets’ blend of aggressive batting, disciplined bowling, and sharp fielding demonstrated why they have become one of the tournament’s most formidable sides, and their victory over the Super Giants marks a significant milestone in their quest for the championship.