Sciver-Brunt Shines as Trent Rockets Clinch Fourth Place with Tense Win Over Phoenix

Trent Rockets closed out their 2025 Women’s Hundred campaign with a dramatic three-wicket victory over Birmingham Phoenix at Trent Bridge, powered by a blistering half-century from captain Nat Sciver-Brunt.

Chasing 124 for victory, the Rockets overcame several tense moments to claim their third consecutive win, lifting them to fourth place in the final standings. Sciver-Brunt’s 52 from just 29 balls proved pivotal in securing the team’s first home win of the season.

The England captain, who was the top run-scorer in last year’s competition, now moves up to second on this season’s charts behind Oval Invincibles' Meg Lanning. Her aggressive strokeplay and cool temperament under pressure earned her the Meerkat Match Hero award, even though she admitted she would have preferred to finish the job herself.

“I would have liked to be there at the end and made it a bit calmer for everybody, but it wasn’t to be,” said Sciver-Brunt. “As a batting group, we always say, ‘get ahead of the game and stay ahead.’ That was the tempo I wanted. Getting out when I did, had we not been ahead, it could’ve been even more stressful.”

The chase began on shaky ground when Bryony Smith was dismissed early for 10 by a clever slower yorker from Emily Arlott. Sciver-Brunt then took charge, building a steady 46-run partnership with Grace Scrivens (16), before a middle-order wobble saw the Rockets slip from 88 for 2 to 109 for 6.

Phoebe Brett starred for Phoenix with a clinical spell of 3 for 19, claiming the key wickets of Scrivens, Heather Graham, and Ellie Threlkeld in quick succession. Megan Schutt (2 for 24) and Hannah Baker also chipped in with crucial breakthroughs, with the latter dismissing Sciver-Brunt right after she reached her fifty.

Despite the collapse, the Rockets held their nerve. Alana King’s brief but vital 9 and a composed finish from Jodi Grewcock, who struck the winning boundary with three balls to spare, sealed a tense but memorable win for the home crowd.

Earlier in the day, Phoenix posted 123 for 6, anchored by opener Emma Lamb’s unbeaten 56 off 42 deliveries. Lamb, playing a lone hand, struck five boundaries in a gritty knock that battled against a disciplined Rockets bowling attack.

Spin was the key for the Rockets, with Kirstie Gordon (2 for 24), Alana King (1 for 21), and Ash Gardner (1 for 18) stifling the Phoenix batters. Brief cameos from Ellyse Perry (14), Marie Kelly (14), and Ailsa Lister (12 off 6) helped the visitors reach a competitive score, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to avoid a sixth defeat in eight matches.

Sciver-Brunt reflected on the unique challenges of playing at Trent Bridge: “The wicket is quite specific, it's slow, and we probably didn’t adapt as quickly as we wanted to. But it’s always nice to win in front of your home fans.”

With the season now complete for both sides, Rockets end on a high with momentum and confidence, while Phoenix are left to reflect on a disappointing campaign.