Trent Rockets Surge to Second in Hundred After Thrilling Victory Over Southern Brave

Trent Rockets beat Southern Brave by four wickets in a tense finish at Trent Bridge to register their third win of the season and move to second on the points table.

Chasing 141 on a slow surface, Tom Banton anchored the innings with 49 off 38 while Tom Moores smashed a match-winning 55 off 30 balls with five sixes, earning the Player of the Match award. The pair's 76-run stand broke the back of the chase and although both fell in quick succession, Marcus Stoinis finished the job with four balls to spare.

David Willey's decision to field first paid off early when he bowled James Vince for 7 before Jason Roy added a 53-run stand with Leus du Plooy. Roy fell to a cutter from Stoinis but du Plooy was the standout batter for the Brave, reaching his maiden Hundred fifty with four sixes and four fours before falling for 55. Michael Bracewell added 28 from 16 while James Coles struck late boundaries in his 18-ball 25* to lift the total to 140.

The Rockets, though hampered by Adam Hose's serious knee injury in the field, took wickets at key moments and bowled tidily in the death overs to keep the score in check.

Banton gave the chase early impetus with inventive strokes off James Coles and kept the scoreboard moving despite losing Joe Root cheaply to Jordan Thompson. Three wickets in quick time pegged the Rockets back, but Moores counter-attacked brilliantly, clearing the ropes with ease. They reached the final set needing just two runs and Stoinis sealed victory by launching Danny Briggs over long-on.

Brief scores: Southern Brave 140/5 in 100 balls (Leus du Plooy 55, Michael Bracewell 28; Marcus Stoinis 2-18) lost to Trent Rockets 145/6 in 96 balls (Tom Moores 55, Tom Banton 49; Jordan Thompson 2-17) by 4 wickets.