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 anchored by a crucial 78‑run partnership between Mitch Santner and Tim David. Chasing a modest target of 148 runs to notch their sixth win in seven matches, the Rockets stumbled early, finding themselves at 70 for four after the dismissals of Finn Allen, Aneurin Donald, Sam Billings and Ben Duckett.
The early setbacks threatened to derail their campaign, but the middle order rose to the occasion. Tim David, who had been looking for a big knock, delivered an unbeaten 32 off just 24 balls, while Santner, arriving at the crease later, smashed a rapid 52 not out from only 23 deliveries.
Their partnership not only steadied the innings but also propelled the side to a comfortable finish with ten balls remaining, sealing the win and cementing their position at the summit of the table. The victory widened the Rockets' lead at the top of the standings to eight points, a margin that is further protected by a superior net‑run rate compared with fourth‑placed Welsh Fire, who still have two matches left to play. The Rockets' consistency throughout the tournament has been evident, and this latest success reinforces their status as the team to beat as the competition moves into its final stages. MI London, on the other hand, faced a challenging chase.
Their innings began with the loss of openers James Vince and Nicholas Pooran in quick succession, putting immediate pressure on the middle order. Will Jacks attempted to steady the ship with a quickfire 39, but the real highlight for the home side came from Sam Curran.
Curran displayed his power‑hitting credentials by striking five sixes and four fours in a brisk 72‑run knock off just 46 balls. Despite his heroics, MI London could only muster 147 for seven, falling short by a single run. The narrow margin underscored the fine line between victory and defeat in The Hundred’s fast‑paced format.
After the match, Rockets' wicket‑keeper Sam Billings addressed a heated exchange with MI London bowler Richard Gleeson, who had taken his wicket. Billings expressed his belief that while competitive intensity is essential, there is a point where the spirit of the game must be respected. He remarked, "Everyone likes the game being played hard and on the field, but there’s a point when you know certainly when the game’s 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 apologised 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." Billings' comments highlighted the balance between aggression and sportsmanship that teams must navigate in high‑stakes matches. Elsewhere on the same day, the Manchester Super Giants bolstered their push for a top‑three finish with a narrow 10‑run win over Southern Brave at the Utilita Bowl. The Giants posted a competitive total of 149 for eight, built around a massive opening stand of 119 runs between Tim Seifert and Paul Walter.
Seifert contributed a quick‑fire 55 off 34 balls before being run out by Moeen Ali, while Walter smashed a rapid 64 from 32 deliveries, peppered with six fours and four sixes. The latter part of the innings saw wickets fall rapidly, with Adil Rashid claiming two for 17, but the target proved just out of reach for the Brave, whose hopes of an Eliminator spot were extinguished.
In response, Southern Brave’s Tristan Stubbs anchored the chase with an unbeaten 53 from 28 balls, supported by Jamie Smith’s 26 and Marcus Stoinis’s 21. Nikhil Chaudhary added a quick 19 off ten balls, offering a glimmer of hope, but it was Gus Atkinson’s incisive death‑over bowling that ultimately secured the Super Giants’ ascent into the top three on net‑run‑rate. The day featured a packed schedule with four matches across Headingley and Lord’s. SunRisers Leeds opened the day by hosting Welsh Fire, with the women’s fixture at 11:00 am followed by the men’s at 2:30 pm, both teams jostling for crucial points as the season draws to a close.
Later, London Spirit faced Birmingham Phoenix, with the women’s game slated for 2:30 pm and the men’s at 6:00 pm. Both sides have already been eliminated from their respective tournaments, turning the matches into battles for pride and final league positions.
Fans can continue to follow every remaining game of The Hundred through to the finals scheduled for Sunday, August 16. The tournament’s excitement remains high, with each match offering a blend of explosive batting, strategic bowling, and moments of intense rivalry that define this innovative format.
For those looking to stream the action, NOW provides a contract‑free option to watch live coverage, highlights, and key moments from both the men’s and women’s competitions. The final weeks promise to deliver more drama, as teams fight for the ultimate prize and the chance to etch their names into Hundred history.