Trent Rockets Women produced another clinical performance in The Hundred Women’s Competition 2026, defeating Birmingham Phoenix Women by six wickets with 16 balls remaining to seal the first eliminator spot in The Women’s Hundred 2026. Chasing a target of 123, the Rockets rode on a magnificent innings from Sophia Dunkley, whose aggressive strokeplay laid the foundation for a comfortable chase. Supported by useful contributions from Nat Sciver-Brunt and Sophie Luff, the visitors reached 124/4 in just 84 balls, maintaining their impressive run in the competition.
Earlier in the evening, Birmingham Phoenix Women were asked to bat first but found themselves under pressure almost immediately. Davina Perrin looked positive during her brief stay, scoring 18 off 13 balls with four boundaries, as she and Tammy Beaumont stitched together a 19-run opening partnership. However, Charley Phillips struck the first blow by dismissing Perrin, giving Trent Rockets the perfect start.
Tammy Beaumont then attempted to rebuild alongside Alice Capsey, but the partnership added only six runs before Kim Garth trapped Capsey for 1 off 4 balls, leaving Birmingham Phoenix at 25/2. Beaumont continued to anchor the innings and found support from captain Ellyse Perry, although the stand lasted only 12 runs before Ashleigh Gardner removed Perry for 1, reducing the hosts to 37/3.
With wickets falling regularly, Emma Lamb joined Beaumont and the pair steadied the innings through the most productive partnership of the innings. Beaumont played fluently for 24 off 21 deliveries, striking three boundaries before being run out after adding 18 runs with Lamb. Despite the setback, Lamb continued to attack and was well supported by Annerie Dercksen. Together, they added 45 runs for the fifth wicket, lifting Birmingham Phoenix beyond the 100-run mark and giving the innings much-needed momentum.
Emma Lamb top-scored with a composed 45 from 34 balls, including five boundaries, while Annerie Dercksen contributed a valuable 21 off 16 deliveries, striking two fours. Their partnership ensured Birmingham recovered from the early collapse. However, Trent Rockets struck back at the death, with Dercksen falling to a sharp catch by Ashleigh Gardner off Kim Garth after the score reached 100/5. Fatima Sana managed only 1 off 3 balls before becoming another victim of the Garth-Mooney combination, while Lamb was dismissed late for 45 as Birmingham closed their 100-ball innings on 122/7. Jemima Spence remained unbeaten on 6 off 7 balls, while five extras helped push the total to a competitive score.
Kim Garth led the Rockets’ bowling attack superbly with figures of 4/23 from 20 balls, removing Alice Capsey, Emma Lamb, Annerie Dercksen and Fatima Sana to derail Birmingham’s finish. Charley Phillips chipped in with 1/22, dismissing Perrin early, while Ashleigh Gardner accounted for Ellyse Perry with 1/30. Samantha Bates delivered an economical spell, conceding just 15 runs from 20 balls, and Georgia Elwiss also kept things under control with 0/21. Georgia Adams bowled only five deliveries but maintained pressure in the closing stages.
Needing 123 for victory, Trent Rockets began positively despite losing Beth Mooney early. Sophia Dunkley immediately took charge of the chase, playing with authority from the outset. Mooney managed 7 off 14 balls, and together they added 20 runs for the opening wicket before Fatima Sana claimed the breakthrough. Dunkley then found the ideal partner in Nat Sciver-Brunt, and the pair completely shifted the momentum with a fluent 62-run partnership for the second wicket.
Sciver-Brunt played her natural attacking game, scoring 24 off just 14 deliveries, including four boundaries, before Lauren Filer ended the stand at 82/2. Although Ashleigh Gardner departed for a first-ball duck after adding only one run with Dunkley, the Rockets remained firmly in control thanks to Dunkley’s brilliance.
The right-hander produced one of the finest knocks of The Hundred Women’s Competition 2026, smashing 65 from only 37 balls at a remarkable strike rate of 175.67. Her innings featured seven boundaries and two sixes, taking the game away from Birmingham Phoenix. She dominated the bowling throughout the chase and brought up the Rockets’ 100 in just 71 balls before eventually falling to Alice Capsey at 102/4, receiving a deserved standing ovation for her match-winning effort.
With the hard work already done, captain Sophie Luff ensured there were no late nerves. She remained unbeaten on 19 off 13 balls, striking three boundaries, while Bess Heath added a calm 7 not out from 6 deliveries. The pair shared an unbeaten 22-run partnership to guide Trent Rockets to 124/4 in 84 balls, sealing victory with 16 balls to spare.
Birmingham Phoenix’s bowlers struggled to contain the aggressive Rockets batting lineup despite a few breakthroughs. Fatima Sana was economical finishing with 0/9 from 15 balls, producing the most economical spell for her side. Lauren Filer claimed the important wicket of Ash Gardner, returning 1/23, while Alice Capsey dismissed the dangerous Sophia Dunkley with figures of 1/16. Alana King also picked up a wicket by removing Nat Sciver-Brunt but conceded 40 runs, and Linsey Smith bagged a wicket in her 1/25, while Ellyse Perry went wicketless.
Sophia Dunkley’s outstanding innings deservedly earned her the Player of the Match award as Trent Rockets Women continued their excellent form in The Hundred Women’s Competition 2026. After restricting Birmingham Phoenix through disciplined bowling led by Kim Garth, the Rockets executed a near-perfect chase, combining aggressive intent with sensible partnerships to secure another convincing victory and strengthen their position in the tournament standings.
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