Ashleigh Gardner-led Trent Rockets were up against Welsh Fire, led by the skipper Tammy Beaumont, at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, in the 27th Match of The Hundred 2025 in the first game of the double-header on August 24. Trent Rockets returned to winning ways with a 6-wicket win against the Oval Invincibles. Welsh Fire registered their first win of the ongoing 5th edition of the tournament.
Trent Rockets’ top-order clicks to post a strong total of 145/6
The Trent Rockets’ openers, Grace Scrivens and Bryony Smith, got their side off to a steady start with a crucial 21-run opening partnership, after Welsh Fire skipper Tammy Beaumont won the toss and opted to field first. Shabnim Ismail broke the stand, by sending Grace Scrivens back to the pavilion inside the power play.
Nat Sciver-Brunt joined Bryony Smith at the crease, and the duo took their side past the 50-run mark with a quick-fire 32-run partnership for the 2nd wicket. Freya Davies picked up the big scalp of Bryony Smith (38 off 27 balls), to provide the 2nd breakthrough for Welsh Fire. Trent Rockets skipper Ashleigh Gardner joined Nat Sciver-Brunt at the crease, and the pair took them to the 120-run mark, with another crucial 67-run partnership for the 3rd wicket.
Jess Jonassen provided a timely breakthrough by sending Nat Sciver-Brunt (38 off 26 balls) back to the pavilion, towards the business end of the innings. Trent Rockets eventually posted a competitive total of 145/6 in their quota of 100 deliveries. Skipper Ashleigh Gardner (36 off 26 balls) and Heather Graham (13* off 10 balls) chipped in with crucial contributions with the bat for Trent Rockets.
Freya Davies (20-10-26-3), Shabnim Ismail (20-10-23-1) and Jess Jonassen (20-8-26-1) were the star performers with the ball for Welsh Fire.
King, Gardner, and Gordon spin a web as the Trent Rockets seal 23-run win
Chasing a target of 146, Welsh Fire lost the wicket of their skipper, Tammy Beaumont, inside the powerplay. Alexa Stonehouse provided the first breakthrough for the Trent Rockets. Hayley Matthews joined Sophia Dunkley at the crease, and the duo brought the run chase back on track with a much-needed 43-run partnership for the 2nd wicket, which also took their total past the 50-run mark.
Skipper Ashleigh Gardner broke the stand, sending Hayley Matthews (18 off 12 balls) back to the pavilion, to provide the 2nd breakthrough for her side. The Rockets suffered a mini collapse as they lost their next three wickets for just 18 runs, reducing Welsh Fire to 75/5. Alex Griffiths joined wicket-keeper batter Sarah Bryce at the crease with their side in trouble. The pair tried their best to revive the run chase with a crucial 26-run partnership for the 6th wicket, taking their side past the 100-run mark.
Welsh Fire were eventually restricted to 122/9 in their quota of 100 deliveries, as a result, falling 26 runs short of the target. Sophia Dunkley (26 off 23 balls) yet again continued her rhythm with the bat at the top of the order. Sarah Bryce (22 off 19 balls), Jess Jonassen (12 off 6 balls) and Alex Griffiths (11 off 9 balls) chipped in with crucial contributions with the bat for Welsh Fire.
Alana King (20-13-17-3), skipper Ashleigh Gardner (20-7-28-2), Heather Graham (20-5-18-1) and Kirstie Gordon (20-4-32-2) were impressive with the ball for their side. Skipper Ashleigh Gardner was awarded the Player of the Match for her impressive all-round performance, scoring 36 (26 balls) with the bat and returning with match figures of 20-7-28-2 in her spell with the ball for her side, which had a crucial role as Trent Rockets sealed consecutive victories.
