Rockets poised for institutional double as Lord’s finals approach

Trent Rockets are positioned to secure a men’s and women’s title double at The Hundred finals at Lord’s on Sunday, following a dominant group phase performance. The franchise has already claimed the Hundred Helix trophy, awarded to the best-performing entity across both competitions, having won 13 of their combined 16 matches. The women’s final against defending champions SunRisers Leeds commences at 2.15pm, followed by the men’s final against Manchester Super Giants at 6pm.

Rockets captain Sam Billings is targeting a fourth consecutive trophy as a skipper, having previously led Oval Invincibles to three successive titles between 2023 and 2025. Billings, now with the Midlanders, described the opportunity to play at Lord’s as a significant milestone, noting the team’s experience in high-pressure finals. He emphasised that topping the league stage provides substantial confidence, despite acknowledging the strength of their opponents.

The men’s contest features a clash of England captains, with Billings facing Jos Buttler, who has taken over the Manchester Super Giants leadership following Aiden Markram’s departure. Buttler has been instrumental in the Super Giants’ campaign, scoring 311 runs including four fifties, and contributing 33 runs off 20 balls in their eliminator victory. Billings acknowledged Buttler as arguably England’s best white-ball player, yet maintained that the Rockets’ superior league record gives them the edge.

In the women’s final, Trent Rockets face SunRisers Leeds in their first-ever Hundred final. The Rockets women have previously endured four group-stage exits and one eliminator defeat across the competition’s first five editions. They are led by Australian captain Ash Gardner, who brings recent World Cup success to the side, including victories with Kim Garth and Beth Mooney. SunRisers are captained by Dani Gibson, who previously faced Gardner’s Australian side in the Women’s T20 World Cup final.

The women’s match also features England captain Nat Sciver-Brunt in the Rockets line-up, while SunRisers boast Phoebe Litchfield and Annabel Sutherland, the competition’s leading run-scorers. Gardner highlighted the value of having experienced players in the dressing room, suggesting that familiarity with Lord’s and previous triumphs would provide positive energy. Gibson stressed the need for quick adaptation to conditions and effective communication to counter the Rockets’ formidable reputation.

The Hundred finals will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix from 2pm on Sunday. The event concludes a season where Trent Rockets have established themselves as the most consistent franchise, now aiming to convert their league dominance into individual championship titles.