Tom Moores, Tom Banton Steer Trent Rockets to Thrilling Win Over Southern Brave
A match-winning partnership between Tom Moores and Tom Banton powered Trent Rockets to a four-wicket victory over Southern Brave in a tightly contested Men's Hundred clash on Saturday.
Chasing 141 on a sluggish Trent Bridge surface, the Rockets recovered from early setbacks to secure the win with four balls to spare. Moores, playing his first game of the season as a replacement wicketkeeper, delivered a sparkling 55 off just 30 balls, smashing five sixes to seal the deal for the home side.
Moores combined with Banton (49 off 35) for a crucial 76-run stand that turned the tide after the Rockets were reduced to 57 for 4. The duo’s contrasting styles — Banton's calculated aggression and Moores’ fearless power-hitting — proved pivotal as they chased down Southern Brave’s total of 140 for 4.
“It’s great to bat with Tom [Banton], he kept me calm and we bounced off each other really well,” said Moores, who was named Meerkat Match Hero. “It’s always nice to do it in front of a home crowd. The wicket was a bit slow at times but ultimately good for batting.”
Early Strikes and Brave Fightback
After winning the toss and electing to bowl, the Rockets got an early breakthrough when David Willey bowled Southern Brave captain James Vince. Jason Roy and Leus du Plooy steadied the innings with a brief counterattack. Du Plooy was the standout, striking 55 off 33 balls with a flurry of boundaries, including switch hits and straight sixes.
Marcus Stoinis made a vital impact with the ball, claiming 2 for 18, including the key wicket of Roy. However, the match was momentarily overshadowed by a concerning injury to Adam Hose, who slipped awkwardly near the leg-side boundary and was taken to hospital with a dislocated ankle.
Despite the interruption, Michael Bracewell and James Coles added valuable runs in the closing stages. Coles found the boundary twice in the final set, helping Brave post 140 for 4 — a competitive total on a slow pitch.
Rockets Rebound After Stumbles
In response, Trent Rockets started aggressively, with Banton hitting the first two balls for four and reverse-sweeping Coles for six in the opening set. However, the chase wasn’t without hiccups. Joe Root was dismissed cheaply by Jordan Thompson, and quick wickets from Tymal Mills, Danny Briggs, and Bracewell left Rockets in trouble.
Enter Tom Moores.
His arrival changed the tempo of the match. He targeted the spinners with clean hitting and didn’t shy away from pace either, taking the attack to the bowlers with confidence. Moores’ ability to clear the ropes under pressure proved decisive.
Although Mills claimed his 50th wicket in The Hundred, it wasn’t enough to prevent Rockets from crossing the finish line.
Looking Ahead
The victory keeps Trent Rockets in the playoff race as the Men's Hundred competition heads into its final phase. Southern Brave, despite a strong showing from du Plooy and their bowling unit, will rue letting the game slip after having Rockets under pressure.
As for Tom Moores, his timely inclusion could well prove to be a game-changer for the Rockets moving forward.
Match Summary:
Trent Rockets 145 for 6 (Moores 55, Banton 49)
Southern Brave 140 for 4 (du Plooy 55, Stoinis 2-18)
Result: Trent Rockets won by 4 wickets
Meerkat Match Hero: Tom Moores