In a thrilling encounter at Cardiff’s stadium, the Trent Rockets secured a comfortable eight‑wicket win over the Welsh Fire, marking their second triumph in this season’s Women’s Hundred competition. The match hinged on a spectacular innings from Australian wicket‑keeper‑batter Beth Mooney, who smashed 57 runs off just 35 deliveries, laying a solid platform for the Rockets to chase down the target of 130 with ease. The Fire, after winning the toss, struggled to build momentum from the outset.
Their openers, Georgia Voll and Ella McCaughan, fell in quick succession – both dismissed within nine balls of each other – leaving the side reeling at 28 for 2 after just 41 deliveries. Despite a fighting effort from England’s Freya Kemp, who struck a quickfire 36 not out off 29 balls with four boundaries, and captain Sophie Devine, who contributed 38 off 25 balls featuring two fours and two sixes, the Fire could only muster 129 for 3 in their allotted 100 balls. The modest total set the stage for a chase that the Rockets would soon dominate.
Mooney opened the innings alongside England’s rising star Sophia Dunkley, who contributed a brisk 15 off 17 balls. The opening partnership blossomed into a 75‑run stand, giving the Rockets a comfortable cushion.
Mooney then accelerated, reaching her half‑century in just 27 balls after Nat Sciver‑Brunt joined her at the crease. Her aggressive approach, punctuated by a mixture of powerful drives and deft placements, ensured the required run rate never became a concern. Although Em Arlott eventually claimed Mooney’s wicket, the momentum was already firmly in the Rockets’ favour. England captain Sciver‑Brunt, who had been dismissed earlier for a quick 37 off 23 balls, returned to the field as a bowler and then as a batter, guiding the chase alongside Ash Gardner.
Together they steered the Rockets home with 17 balls to spare, sealing a comprehensive victory. The Rockets’ win was underpinned by the Fire’s sub‑par total, a consequence of early wickets and an inability to build lasting partnerships. After the early setbacks, the Fire attempted a recovery through Kemp’s aggressive batting and Devine’s power hitting, but the lack of depth in the lower order meant the score remained insufficient.
Beyond the Rockets‑Fire clash, the day also featured a dramatic tie between MI London and London Spirit. Both sides finished on exactly 151 runs, producing one of the rarest outcomes in the competition. The dead‑heat left MI London still searching for their inaugural win, with just two points from four matches, putting their knockout hopes in jeopardy.
MI London’s innings was highlighted by an explosive start from Kiwi batter Melie Kerr, who blazed an unbeaten 49 off 32 balls, opening the scoring and setting a brisk tempo. The innings was further bolstered by a spectacular cameo from Jamaican all‑rounder Chinelle Henry, who rattled off 33 runs from merely 12 deliveries. Their partnership of 55 runs from 23 balls, including a flurry of boundaries, propelled MI London to a competitive total of 151.
When London Spirit began their chase, they faced immediate pressure as Henry’s early strike produced a leading edge caught by Grace Harris. However, the Spirit responded with composure.
Marie Kelly, displaying her characteristic elegance, compiled a fluent 45 off 25 balls, stabilising the chase. The innings then saw a rapid partnership between South African all‑rounder Marizanne Kapp and England’s Amy Jones, who together added 51 runs, with Kapp contributing a quickfire 25.
Kapp’s dismissal, caught off the off‑spin of Hayley Matthews, seemed to shift the momentum back to MI London, but Jones continued to fight, only to be dismissed while attempting a hard sweep that was safely taken by Nicola Carey at deep square leg. With the required run rate climbing, the Spirit needed 27 runs from the final 22 balls.
Matthews, under pressure, struck a boundary off Deandra Dottin, but a subsequent delivery was caught by Matthews herself, adding to the tension. In the final over, the drama intensified.
Nadine de Klerk managed to pick off Kerr at deep mid‑wicket, leaving the Spirit needing three runs off the last ball. Dottin, showing nerves of steel, struck the ball for four, but a follow‑up delivery was sent straight to extra cover for a catch, ending the match in a tie.
The result kept the Spirit marginally alive in the tournament, while MI London’s hopes were left hanging by a thread. Both matches were accompanied by insightful commentary from the players.
Mooney, reflecting on the Rockets’ performance, told Sky Sports Cricket, "It was a good, all‑round performance from everyone – 130 was probably about par but one big partnership was going to win that game, and it did in the end. When you're chasing a total like that, it's pretty good to break the back of the chase as early as you can and thankfully we did that." Marie Kelly, the Hero of the Match for the Spirit, admitted the emotional rollercoaster she experienced: "I was so nervous sitting on the side, not being able to do anything about it.
I feel a bit flat that we've tied that one. We were in a great position at one stage but they pulled it back really well. It's a strange feeling." Looking ahead, the Southern Brave will host Birmingham Phoenix on Thursday, with the women's match scheduled for 3 pm and the men's fixture following at 6:30 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports. Fans can continue to follow The Hundred action, including live streams and highlights, via the NOW platform, where the latest tables, squad announcements for 2026, and exclusive video content are available.
Overall, the day showcased the unpredictable nature of The Hundred – a dominant chase by the Rockets, a tightly contested tie between MI London and Spirit, and individual brilliance from players like Mooney, Kerr, Henry, and Kelly. As the tournament progresses, every match promises further excitement, strategic twists, and the potential for more historic moments in this innovative format of cricket.