The Hundred: Southern Brave thrash Trent Rockets in tournament opener

Southern Brave thrashed Trent Rockets by 27 runs in the opening game of The Hundred women’s competition at Trent Bridge.

Rockets’ chase started disastrously, with opener Bryony Smith run out first ball before slipping to 77-5.

England all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt’s powerful 31-ball 49 gave Rockets late hope, but they fell short on 130-7.

Two-time Hundred runners-up Brave were propelled by Mandhana and Danni Wyatt’s opening stand of 65, before England’s Maia Bouchier continued the acceleration with an entertaining 31 from 18 balls.

Rockets fought back at the end of the innings through the use of spin as Brave lost five wickets for just 31 runs.

But South Africa batter Chloe Tryon added an explosive 23 from just 10 balls to set up a winning total.

Rockets’ innings failed to fire at any stage until Nat Sciver-Brunt was joined by India captain Harmanpreet Kaur.

They added 45 for the fourth wicket, but all-rounder Georgia Adams took the key scalp of Kaur for 22 to swing the momentum back in favour of Brave.

Adams added the wicket of former England batter Fran Wilson to her tally, but debutant Mary Taylor, 18, was the star performer with the ball and finished with impressive figures of 3-18.

Brave captain Anya Shrubsole had Nat Sciver-Brunt caught and bowled with 20 balls remaining to end Rockets’ late rally, and ensured a dominant opening performance for her side.

Brave will aim to continue their winning run against Welsh Fire on Friday 4 August while Rockets will be looking to bounce back against Birmingham Phoenix on Saturday 5 August.

More to follow.