The Trent Rockets clinched a place in the knockout round 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. Chasing a target of 148 runs to notch their sixth win from seven games, the Rockets stumbled early, losing the wickets of Finn Allen, Aneurin Donald, Sam Billings and Ben Duckett while the scoreboard read just 70 for four at the halfway point of their innings. However, a late surge rescued the side: David smashed an unbeaten 32 off 24 balls, and Santner contributed a rapid 52 not out from just 23 deliveries, propelling the Rockets home with ten balls to spare.
The victory not only added another win to the Rockets' impressive record but also extended their lead at the summit of the table to eight points. They also retained a superior net‑run rate over fourth‑placed Welsh Fire, who still have two matches left to play.
MI London, on the other hand, suffered early setbacks when openers James Vince and Nicholas Pooran fell in quick succession. After Will Jacks added a brisk 39, the home side leaned heavily on Sam Curran, who blasted five sixes and four fours in a 46‑ball 72‑run innings. Despite Curran's heroics, MI London could only manage 147 for 7, falling short of the Rockets' total.
Following the match, Rockets' wicket‑keeper Sam Billings addressed a confrontation with MI London bowler Richard Gleeson after his wicket fell. Billings said, "Everyone enjoys a hard‑fought game on the field, but there comes a moment when you know the match is over – when the game is won or when you're out. I just didn't like the way it ended.
I love a competitive spirit, but the apology Gleeson gave on the walk‑off felt a bit off. You can be competitive and still conduct yourself properly, and that’s my view. It makes the win even sweeter today." In other news from The Hundred, 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 149‑8, anchored by a massive opening stand of 119 runs between Tim Seifert and Paul Walter.
Seifert struck 55 off 34 balls before being run out by Moeen Ali, while Walter smashed six fours and four sixes in a rapid 64 from just 32 deliveries. The innings wrapped up with wickets falling quickly, but Adil Rashid's tidy 2‑17 spell helped keep the pressure on the Brave, whose hopes of reaching the Eliminator were effectively extinguished. In response, Southern Brave's Tristan Stubbs led a valiant chase with an unbeaten 53 off 28 balls, supported by Jamie Smith's 26 and Marcus Stoinis's 21.
Nikhil Chaudhary contributed a quickfire 19 from 10 balls, offering a brief flicker of hope, but Gus Atkinson's superb death‑over bowling sealed the Giants' victory and secured their position in the top three on net run‑rate. The tournament schedule remains packed, with another four matches slated for the day—two at Headingley and two at Lord's. SunRisers Leeds will open the day by hosting Welsh Fire, with the women's game at 11:00 am and the men's at 2:30 pm, both teams jostling for crucial points as the season draws to a close. Later, London Spirit will face Birmingham Phoenix, again with a women's fixture at 2:30 pm followed by the men's game at 6:00 pm.
Both sides have already been eliminated from their respective women's and men's competitions, so the matches will be played primarily for pride and for the fans. The Hundred continues to deliver high‑octane cricket, and fans can catch every remaining match up to the final on Sunday, August 16. For those looking to stream the action without a subscription, the tournament is available contract‑free on the NOW platform, offering a convenient way to follow the drama as it unfolds across the remaining venues.
Overall, the Trent Rockets' win over MI London underscores their consistency and depth, with the Santner‑David partnership exemplifying the team's ability to recover from early setbacks and finish strongly. Their eight‑point cushion at the top of the table, combined with a superior net‑run rate, puts them in a commanding position heading into the knockout phase. Meanwhile, the Manchester Super Giants' narrow victory over Southern Brave highlights the fine margins that can separate success from disappointment in this fast‑paced competition.
As the schedule tightens and the stakes rise, every match will be crucial in determining which teams ultimately vie for the coveted Hundred trophy.