Trent Rockets 68 for 1 (Dunkley 43*) defeated Birmingham Phoenix 64 (Perry 39, Bates 3‑10, Elwiss 3‑13) by nine wickets
The Rockets restricted Phoenix to a total of 64, the joint‑second lowest in the women’s Hundred history. Samantha Bates (3/10), making her Hundred debut, and Georgia Elwiss (3/13) spearheaded the bowling, delivering a combined 6/23 from 40 deliveries, including 25 dot balls.
Even without England captain Nat Sciver‑Brunt, who is sidelined for the first two matches due to a calf injury, the Rockets dominated, comfortably chasing the target with 69 balls remaining.
Lauren Filer dismissed Beth Mooney for four when the score was 40, but could not stop the Rockets’ momentum; Sophia Dunkley reached an unbeaten 43 from 17 balls, while Sophie Luff added three successive boundaries off Alana King.
Sent to bat first, Phoenix lost Tammy Beaumont and Alice Capsey early; Beaumont was bowled by Kim Garth, who delivered the opening ten balls without conceding a run.
Davina Perrin was then bowled by Elwiss, leaving Phoenix 13‑3 after 20 balls; Bates subsequently dismissed Annerie Dercksen and Jemima Spence in quick succession, taking the score to 14‑5.
Ellyse Perry posted a fighting 39•Getty Images
The Australian partnership of Ellyse Perry and King attempted a recovery, cautiously taking the score to 27 for 6 at the midway stage. However, the effort was brief, as King edged the 51st ball behind, handing Garth a second wicket.
Perry then accelerated, hitting her teammate Ash Gardner for a six to reach 25, but Eva Gray was dismissed attempting the same shot, caught at long‑on by Heath.
Perry ultimately fell, caught in the deep by Emma Jones for 39, marking Elwiss’ third wicket; no other Phoenix batter reached 10 runs.
Bates commented, “It’s great to play my first match for Trent Rockets and record the win. We planned to go spin‑heavy at Edgbaston, and we’re pleased it paid off.”
Kim Garth bowled brilliantly at the start. It was rewarding to see the effort pay off, and her opening spell set the tone. The team had a vigorous warm‑up and fielded exceptionally well.
