It was an important game for both Trent Rockets and Manchester Originals in the
Hundred at Trent Bridge today. The Originals knew a win would take them back into
the top three, even if they’d played a game more than their closest rivals. The
Rockets, meanwhile, needed a victory to stay in contention, though their chances of
progressing remained slim.
It would ultimately be the all-round performance of Kathryn Bryce, a player who plays
her domestic cricket at Trent Bridge, that proved the difference as Manchester
Originals won by ten wickets.
With drizzle intermittently falling during much of the morning, when Originals won the
toss they didn’t hesitate to put the Rockets into bat.
The home side’s top order all made starts but were never able to break totally free of
a disciplined bowling attack. The introduction of Sophie Ecclestone after 20 balls
made the first breakthrough, as Nat Wraith, not wanting the international left-arm
spinner to settle, advanced down the track and was stumped for 17.
Bryony Smith and Nat Sciver-Brunt had started to set a solid platform for the
Rockets, taking them up to 50 from 35 balls before Bryce struck, bowling Smith with
a ball that moved away slightly and took the top of off stump.
Sciver-Brunt again was key to the Rockets’ batting and, on 34, was well set before
Ecclestone and Beth Mooney combined to stump the England captain with a delivery
that spun enough to deceive the batter.
Ash Gardner was the third Rockets player to be dismissed for 17, as a burst of three
wickets from Lauren Filer ensured the game was pulling in the direction of an
Originals win.
The Rockets started with good intent when they went out to bowl, knowing 111 was
going to be a difficult target to defend. Alexa Stonehouse was able to bowl the first
ten balls for ten.
The Originals had Mooney and Bryce batting at the top of the order, and they hardly
offered a chance. Bryce, who has played a lot of cricket at Trent Bridge, judged her
innings well to bring up her first fifty in the Hundred this season.
For the Rockets, it was tough going, and they weren’t able to find the breakthrough
in the powerplay that was crucial if they were to win.
Mooney and Bryce are two of the calmer performers on the circuit, and it showed.
The right-hand left-hand dynamic worked well, and they chose their shots wisely on
a pitch that offered the slower bowlers something.
It was the sort of performance that showed the Originals can cause any team
problems on their day.
For Trent Rockets, though, it is a result that will raise questions in the dressing room,
and if they are to turn their season around they have to start a three-game winning
streak with the first of those games at The Oval on Thursday.
With two games on the road, it might just give them the boost to relaunch their
season.
