Rockets’ automatic final hopes hinge on Leeds result after Brave defeat
Southern Brave’s six-wicket victory over Trent Rockets leaves the hosts in a precarious position, with Sunrisers Leeds poised to overtake them for the top spot depending on Tuesday’s outcome.
Trent Rockets’ aspirations for an automatic berth in the final of The Hundred have been severely compromised following a six-wicket defeat by Southern Brave at Trent Bridge. The loss leaves the Rockets in a position where they must now await the result of Sunrisers Leeds’ upcoming fixture to determine their fate in the tournament.
Trent Rockets posted a total of 158-5 in their allotted 100 balls, a score that appeared competitive until Southern Brave’s chase gained momentum. Mitchell Santner top-scored for the hosts with an unbeaten 35 off 23 balls, anchoring the innings with a 66-run unbroken sixth-wicket partnership with Lewis Gregory, who contributed 28 not out from 18 balls.
Southern Brave, already eliminated from contention, secured a tense victory with three balls to spare, finishing 159-4 in 97 balls. The chase was driven by a crucial 70-run fourth-wicket stand between Tristan Stubbs and Marcus Stoinis. Stoinis provided early impetus with 46 off 25 balls, including four fours and three sixes, before being caught off Ben Sanderson.
Stubbs remained unbeaten on 52 from 28 balls, finishing the match with a six off Lewis Gregory to seal the win. The New Zealand all-rounder struck four fours and three sixes at a strike rate of 185.71, guiding his side past the target despite a late scare that required eight runs from the final five balls.
The defeat means Trent Rockets trail Sunrisers Leeds by four points but hold an inferior net run-rate of 0.740 compared to Leeds’ 1.094. If both teams finish on 24 points following Tuesday’s matches, net run-rate will determine the top spot. Sunrisers Leeds face Manchester Super Giants at Old Trafford on Tuesday, a result that could see them overtake the Rockets.
In the women’s competition at Old Trafford, the winner of the Sunrisers Leeds versus Manchester Super Giants match will secure a spot in the Eliminator against Southern Brave. A tie or no result would see the Super Giants progress. In the men’s fixture, a victory guarantees Sunrisers Leeds a knockout phase spot, while Manchester Super Giants must win to keep their top-three hopes alive.
