The Trent Rockets clinched a place in the knockout phase of The Hundred thanks to a decisive six‑wicket triumph over MI London, a win that was largely driven by a vital 78‑run partnership between Mitch Santner and Tim David. The Rockets were chasing a target of 148 runs, a score that would give them their sixth victory in seven matches, but their innings began on shaky ground.
Early wickets fell quickly as Finn Allen, Aneurin Donald, Sam Billings and Ben Duckett were dismissed, leaving the side at just 70 runs for the loss of four wickets midway through the 20‑ball innings. At that critical juncture, Tim David stepped up with an unbeaten 32 runs off just 24 deliveries, while Santner contributed a rapid 52 not out from only 23 balls.
Their aggressive yet controlled batting propelled the Rockets to the finish line with ten balls remaining, sealing a comfortable win. The result not only secured their progression to the knockout stage but also extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points. Additionally, the Rockets enjoy a superior net run‑rate compared with fourth‑placed Welsh Fire, who still have two matches left to play. MI London, on the other hand, faced an early setback when openers James Vince and Nicholas Pooran were dismissed in quick succession.
After Will Jacks added a brisk 39 runs, the home side relied heavily on Sam Curran, who produced a spectacular innings of 72 runs off 46 balls, punctuated by five sixes and four fours. Despite Curran’s fireworks, MI London could only muster 147 for seven wickets, falling just short of the target. The match also featured a heated exchange between Rockets’ Sam Billings and Lancashire bowler Richard Gleeson after Billings’ wicket fell. Billings expressed his frustration, stating, "Everyone likes the game being played hard and on the field, but there’s a point when you know the game is finished or the game’s won or he’s got me out – I just don’t like that, to be honest.
It was the way [Gleeson] kind of apologized on the walk‑off after the game. I love the game being played hard, but I think it was a pretty poor showing. You can still behave in the right way and be competitive at the same time, so that’s just my opinion but, yeah, it’s even sweeter to get the win today." Looking ahead, the tournament schedule continues with another four‑match day, featuring two fixtures each at Headingley and Lord’s. SunRisers Leeds will open the day by hosting Welsh Fire, with the women's game slated for 11:00 am and the men’s encounter at 2:30 pm.
Both sides will be vying for crucial points as the season draws toward its climax in both the men’s and women’s competitions. Later, London Spirit will take on Birmingham Phoenix, with the women’s match at 2:30 pm followed by the men’s game at 6:00 pm. Both teams have already been eliminated from their respective tournaments, so these matches will be fought for pride and to finish the campaign on a high note.
Fans can continue to follow every remaining Hundred fixture through to the finals on Sunday, August 16, with live coverage available on Sky Sports and streaming options on NOW, which offers contract‑free access to the tournament. The Hundred’s blend of fast‑paced cricket, strategic player rotations, and high‑energy entertainment ensures that each match remains a showcase of skill, resilience, and tactical acumen, keeping supporters engaged until the very last ball is bowled.