Trent Rockets vs Welsh Fire at Nottingham (Trent Bridge) on 3 August 2024
Reported attendance 10,693. Match will be remembered for setting a new record that was made when both Rockets openers departed for golden ducks. Previously, when Fire played Rockets, Fire skipper Tammy Beaumont became the first batter to score 100 (on 15.8.2023). By contrast, Fire skipper Tammy Beaumont departed for a duck, but became delighted a little later when Fire achieved their third win and stay top-of-table (with 6 points.) Sarah Bryce (pictured) stepped-up to make top-score [51*not out (from 39 balls)] partnered by Jess Jonassen, to whom she later paid credit for her experience and support. Match was tied when Georgia Elwiss drew scores level, followed by Sarah Bryce hitting the winning ‘single’ with two balls remaining. Receiving POTM ‘Meerkat match hero’ cap-and-medal from Robert Croft, Sarah Bryce was full of confidence and very excited for her team ‘going forward.’ Introduced for SKY Sports commentator Mark Butcher (former England international); with guest Katherine Sciver-Brunt OBE (former England international.) Also with Robert ‘Crofty’ Croft MBE (Welsh cricketer, former England international), Charles Dagnall (broadcaster & former county player), and Michael ‘Mike’ Atherton OBE (broadcaster, sports journalist & former England international.) Following overnight rain, weather described as a ‘gloriously hot summer’s day,’ 25C
*Rockets’ innings: skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt, with international players: Ashleigh ‘Ash’ Gardner, Heather Graham & Alana King (all Australia); *[Sarah Bryce keeping wicket for Fire]; *New record made when both openers departed for golden ducks; *Firstly right-handed Bryony Smith went for a ‘welsh-wicket’ from an inside-edge; ‘Crofty’ on commentary explained that dragged-on (‘dragon’) to leg-stump from Freya Davies’ first match ball; *Six balls later a second welsh wicket fell (to Fire’s advantage) when left-handed Grace Scrivens also chipped an inside-edge from Beth Langston; *’Rocky start’ after 25 balls ‘power-play 33/2; *Fifty partnership between Nat Wraith and Nat Sciver-Brunt; *Promoted to arrive before her skipper, and having produced an ‘excellent innings’ at a crucial time, Nat Wraith was caught at ‘deep-mid-wicket’ by Phoebe Franklin’s rolling catch ‘with good landing’, bowled by Georgia Davis; At mid-way (50 balls) 60/3; *’Much needed breakthrough’ when Nat Sciver-Brunt was ‘cramped for room’ and stumped by keeper Sarah Bryce, from Jess Jonassen; *Ash Gardner was caught by Georgia Elwiss from Jess Jonassen; *Heather Graham was ‘not out;’ *Rockets batting: Nat Sciver-Brunt 37(26), Ash Gardner 31(26), Nat Wraith 28(24), Heather Graham 27*not out (18); *Fire’s bowling: Jess Jonassen 2/29, Beth Langston 1/17, Freya Davies 1/19 Georgia Davis 1/23;
*Fire’s innings: *skipper Tammy Beaumont with international players Hayley Matthews (WIndies); Jess Jonassen (Australia); *[Natasha ‘Nat’ Wraith keeping wicket for Rockets]; *’Massive wicket’ fell when Sophia Dunkley was caught low-down with a juggle by Kirstie Gordon, from Alexa Stonehouse’s fifth ball; *Previously scoring the first women’s ‘ton’, against last year’s Rockets, Tammy Beaumont went ‘leg-before’ without review to Nat Sciver-Brunt, for a third-ball duck; *After 25 balls power-play 38/2 (vs33/2) *Missing a ‘pull’ shot, another ‘massive wicket’ fell when Hayley Matthews went ‘leg-before’ upon review, to Nat Sciver-Brunt; *At mid-way (50 balls) 64/3 (vs60/3); Jess Jonassen was caught at ‘backward point’ by Bryony Smith, from Heather Graham ’s ‘full-toss’; *Fire’s batting: *As mentioned above, Sarah Bryce was partnered firstly by Jess Jonassen, and secondly by Georgia Elwiss adding 45 runs needed to win from 32 balls remaining; Sarah Bryce 51*not out(39), Jess Jonassen 26(22), Hayley Matthews 20(14), Georgia Elwiss 18*not out (15); *Rockets bowling: Nat Sciver-Brunt 2/32, Heather Graham 1/14, Alexa Stonehouse 1/12;
*Match result: Welsh Fire 131/4 (1.3 runs-per-ball, target 131 from 100/100) beat Trent Rockets 130/5 (1.3 runs-per-ball,from 98/100) by six wickets (with 2 balls remaining)
*Full match courtesy of SKY Sports Cricket free-to-air via YouTube via YouTube [03h02m15s] @url https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MyvUsoUm4Tw&t=5s
*Results with link to match centre for edited highlights courtesy of The Hundred (Women) @url https://www.thehundred.com/results?year=2024
*Remaining The Hundred (Women) fixtures @url https://www.ecb.co.uk/news/3801564/the-hundred-2024-fixtures
