Low-scoring thriller goes the way of Southern Brave

Sophie Devine hits an unbeaten 41 to lead Brave in a nervy chase, after Rockets were bowled out for 106

ECB Media | 16/08/2025 at 13:40

Trent Bridge: Trent Rockets 106, Southern Brave 109-4 - Southern Brave won by six wickets

A dominant bowling performance followed by a measured if not nervy run chase saw the Southern Brave to a six-wicket win over Trent Rockets in The Hundred women’s competition at Trent Bridge.

Electing to bowl first, Georgia Adams’ decision was justified almost immediately when 17-year-old Tilly Corteen-Coleman struck two huge blows in her opening set, removing Bryony Smith (10) caught off a leading-edge and Nat Sciver-Brunt (0) brilliantly stumped by Rhianna Southby.

Despite a 16-ball 25 from captain Ash Gardner, the Rockets top order faltered miserably. From 36 for 2 at the conclusion of the powerplay, it was complete Brave dominance as the Rockets collapsed to 55 for 8.

Left-arm spinner Corteen-Coleman bowled brilliantly, also dismissing Heather Graham (3) and Emma Jones (0) – the former another stumping by the impressive Southby – on the way to brilliant figures of 4 for 13.

Lauren Bell returned to strike twice in three balls, becoming the first woman to take 50 wickets in The Hundred in the process, finishing her 20 balls with 3 for 16.

Alana King (24 not out) and Kirstie Gordon (32) then staged a recovery to keep their side in the game. They shared a record tenth-wicket stand of 50 from 44 deliveries to help the Rockets to 106 and give them something to bowl at.

In the run chase, the Rockets struck early – Danni Wyatt-Hodge (4) run out by King after a miscommunication with Maia Bouchier. Laura Wolvaardt (1) then went caught by Sciver-Brunt off Gordon to see the score 10 for 2 with two in-form batters back in the shed.

Bouchier and Sophie Devine played cautiously against probing bowling from King and Gardner, steadily chipping away at the target as the Brave reached 52 for 2 at halfway with 55 runs still required.

Bouchier began to open her shoulders as the Brave approached their target, but she targeted King one time too many, running past a wide one to be stumped for 43.

Devine was joined by Freya Kemp (14) who, after cracking a huge six off Gordon, went caught on the boundary with eight still required from seven balls.

Devine stayed calm, striking a crucial boundary off Graham as the Brave got home with two balls to spare.