Trent Rockets vs London Spirit at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on 20 August (15h30)
Record crowd for women’s cricket at Trent Bridge (10,133) turned out for the twelfth women’s match of ‘The Hundred.’ Rockets skipper Natalie Sciver (pictured) celebrated her 30th birthday, seven runs short of her ’fifty’ (43*not out); and received the crowd’s roaring approval anticipating a hat-trick after taking two wickets with consecutive balls. When batting with Bryony Smith, Sciver put on a match-winning second-wicket partnership of 97. But it was Bryony Smith who was awarded POTM ‘Match hero’ for bagging top-score: not only for launching two crowd-pleasing ’sixes’ (top-scoring with 63); but also for bowling ten dot balls from 20 deliveries (and taking 1/17). By comparison, Sciver collected a vertical catch from Australia’s Beth Mooney, from her own bowling. Sciver (2/20) also castled Alice Monaghan for a duck, with her next ball. Match was broadcast via SKY Sports YouTube channel – please see below – with commentators: Ebony Rainford-Brent, Natalie Germanos (South Africa), Simon Doull (NZ), Robert Croft (Wales) and Dominic Cork. Also BBC 5LSX, ESPN-cric-info and other social media. Weather was cooler, sunny with blue sky and high cloud 16-20C.
Rockets’ Innings
Skipper Natalie Sciver reported ’no changes.’ *After 25 balls power play, Rockets were 37/0. Australia’s Elyse Villani 24(20) was clean-bowled by Amelia Kerr’s (NZ) ‘higher’ flighted ball. *At mid-way, Rockets were 57/1. *Rockets’ first-and-second fifties each took 35 balls. *Strategic time-out was called after 56 balls, with 76 runs on-the-board. *POTM match hero Bryony Smith 63(44) scored her first tournament ’fifty,’ closing with 8 ‘fours’ and two ‘sixes.’ *Together with skipper Sciver 42*(34), their second-wicket partnership banked 97 runs until Smith was caught by Dani Gibson from Amelia Kerr (2/33). *Mignon duPreez 3 (South Africa) was run-out by Charlie Dean, sacrificing herself from the non-striker’s end. *Finally, seamer Megan Schutt (1/21) bowled three ‘dot’ balls and took a wicket, when fellow Australian Alana King was caught by Amelia Kerr for a second-ball duck. *Afterwards, Alana King told interviewers that the match ‘felt like a reunion’ (seeing Internationals from the Australian Women’s Big-Bash League.)
Spirit’s Innings
*With no changes, skipper Charlie Dean had elected to bowl first. *Australia’s Beth Mooney (13) swung a vertical skier to ‘silly-mid-on’ and was caught-and-bowled by Natalie Sciver. *Alice Monaghan played-on for a golden duck. *Next ball, an expectant home crowd vocalised, hoping for Sciver’s birthday hat-trick; (Spirit on 25/2.) *After 25 balls power play, Spirit were 30/2 (vs 37/0.) *After a ‘laborious knock,’ Grace Scrivens 8(18) missed a ’reverse sweep:’ and went ‘leg before’ to Australia’s spinner Alana King. *At mid-way, Spirit were 55/3 (vs 57/1.) Amelia Kerr anchored Spirit’s innings 26(19) adding 38 runs with Naomi Dattani 38*(34) until Kerr missed a sweep, going plumb ’leg before’ to Sarah Glenn (1/36.) Dattani finished with Spirit’s top scorer, undefeated 38*not out with 2 ‘fours’ and one ’six.’ *Dani Gibson 12(7) played a seven-ball cameo for 12 runs until top-edged to Sarah Glenn at ’short-fine-leg,’ from Bryony Smith’s spin. *Strategic time-out was called with Spirit needing 48 runs from the last 20 balls. *Commentators seemed certain that Rockets bowlers were ‘keeping it tight’ and ‘giving nothing’ (away). *Katherine Brunt bagged her first tournament wicket this season when Sophie Luff 6(7) was caught at ‘extra cover’ by Marie Kelly, from Brunt’s slower ball. *By the time skipper Charlie Dean 9*(5) arrived at the crease, Spirit faced a lost cause, requiring 31 runs from the last seven balls. *Dean was afforded two final ‘fours’ from her opposite number, finding gaps between fielders standing inside the circle.
Summary
Even before a ball was bowled, commentators were doubtful that Spirt’s skipper Charlie Dean had made the right decision to make Rockets bat first. There was little to choose between the two teams, when bowling ’dot’ balls (36 vs 37.) Rockets batters took more risk when facing Spirit’s international bowlers (Megan Schutt and Amelia Kerr) who both took wickets. Bryony Smith bagged her first tournament ‘fifty’ this season for Rockets, partnered by skipper Sciver who made an unbeaten 42. *Commentators felt that Spirit’s run-chase was ‘closed down’ by Rockets ‘tight bowling’ to contain Spirit batters ’Nothing was given away.’ When the final strategic time-out was called, Rockets looked certain of a comfortable win, as the required-run-rate topped more than two runs-per-ball. After the match POTM match hero Bryony Smith told Dominic Cork that she was pleased both with her ‘personal performance’ and (her contribution) to the team. Rockets move up to third place (4 points): with 2 wins and 2 losses from 4 matches played.
Result: Trent Rockets Women 142/4 beat London Spirit Women 124/6 by 18 runs
Rockets batting: 142/4 from 100 balls (at 1.42 runs-per-ball); Bryony Smith 63(44), Natalie Sciver 42*(34), Elyse Villani 24(20); Spirit bowling: Amelia Kerr 2/23, Megan Schutt 1/21. Fow 1-40, 2-137, 3-140, 4-142.
Spirit batting 124/6 from 100 balls (at 1.24 runs-per-ball, target 143 from 100 balls); Naomi Dattani 38*(34), Amelia Kerr 26(19), Beth Mooney 13(10) Danielle Gibson 12(7); Rockets bowling: Natalie Sciver 2/20, Katherine Brunt 1/12, Bryony Smith 1/17, Alana King 1/19, Sarah Glenn 1/36; Fow 1-25, 2-25, 3-39, 4-77, 5-95, 6-112.
Scorecard & Statistics at URL: https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/the-hundred-women-s-competition-2022-1299144/trent-rockets-women-vs-london-spirit-women-12th-match-1299156/full-scorecard
Match highlights free-to-air from SKY Sports YouTube [06m18] at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLl7F4sjyn4
Match video free-to-air from SKY Sports YouTube [31m39/03h27m25s] at URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2xThteCL_F4
