Trent Rockets beat Birmingham Phoenix by 7 wickets (with 17 balls remaining) – The Hundred Match Report
Trent Rockets won by 7 wickets (with 17 balls remaining) in the 22nd match of 34 in The Hundred 2026 at Trent Bridge. Sam Billings produced a devastating unbeaten 31 off 19 balls to guide Rockets home with ease, as Birmingham Phoenix collapsed to 111 for 6 from their 100 balls. The victory lifts Rockets to 1st (5W 1L, 16pts) while Phoenix remain 8th (1W 3L, 4pts) and struggling to find form.
Birmingham Phoenix Stumble to 111
Joe Clarke was the sole bright spot in a disappointing Phoenix innings, smashing 62 off 45 balls (3 fours, 5 sixes) at a strike rate of 138 to anchor the middle overs. He arrived at 34 for 2 after Mitchell Owen fell for 1 at 2 for 1 in the opening over and Will Smeed departed for 6 at 34 for 2. Clarke’s aggressive approach lifted Phoenix to 108 for 3 by the 19th over, but the innings unravelled thereafter.
Rehan Ahmed (5 off 8) fell at 42 for 4, Laurie Evans (19 off 14, 1 four, 1 six) was caught at 92 for 5, and Donovan Ferreira managed just 1 at 94 for 6. Clarke’s dismissal at 108 for 3 in the 19th over ended Phoenix’s hopes of a competitive total.
Lewis Gregory was the standout bowler for Rockets, taking 2 for 20 from 3.2 overs at an economy of 1.0. Mohammad Amir struck early with 1 for 1 from 0.5 overs, while Matt Henry (1 for 24 from 3.2 overs) and Calvin Harrison (1 for 17 from 3.2 overs) kept the runs tight. Mitchell Santner claimed 1 for 22 from 2.3 overs.
Rockets Chase Down with Ease
Rockets’ chase was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Ben Duckett opened with 22 off 24 (3 fours) to set the platform, before Finn Allen took the attack to Phoenix’s bowlers with 28 off 30 (2 fours). The pair put on a 41-run opening stand, but the real fireworks came from Aneurin Donald, who smashed 17 off just 6 balls (1 four, 2 sixes) at a strike rate of 283 to accelerate the chase.
Donald’s explosive cameo at 9.1 overs lifted Rockets to 60 for 3, but it was Sam Billings who sealed the deal. Billings’ unbeaten 31 off 19 (1 four, 3 sixes) at a strike rate of 163 took Rockets from 106 for 2 in the 15th over to 116 for 3 in the 13th, finishing the job with 17 balls to spare. Tim David chipped in with an unbeaten 4 off 4.
Usman Tariq was Phoenix’s best bowler, taking 2 for 15 from 3.2 overs at an economy of 0.75, but it was not enough to slow Rockets’ momentum. Ben Dwarshuis took 1 for 11 from 2.3 overs, while Saqib Mahmood (0 for 29 from 2.3 overs) and Chris Wood (0 for 18 from 2.3 overs) were expensive.
Statz MVP: Joe Clarke (Statz Rating: 93.04)
Joe Clarke earns the Statz MVP award with a mi_rating of 93.04 – the highest of the evening. His 62 off 45 (3 fours, 5 sixes) was the difference between Phoenix’s total being competitive or merely a training-ground score. Clarke struck at 138 and carried the innings through the middle overs, but his dismissal in the 19th over proved fatal to Phoenix’s chances. No official Man of the Match was awarded, though Lewis Gregory was named player of the match for his all-round contribution.
Top 5 Statz Ratings
- Joe Clarke (BP) – Statz Rating: 93.04 | 62 off 45 (SR 138, 3 fours, 5 sixes) – Sole bright spot in Phoenix’s collapse, struck at 138 through the middle overs.
- Usman Tariq (BP) – Statz Rating: 86.8 | 2 for 15 from 3.2 overs (economy 0.75) – Miserly bowling in a losing effort, best bowler on show.
- Sam Billings (TR) – Statz Rating: 66.41 | 31 not out off 19 (SR 163, 1 four, 3 sixes) – Explosive finish to seal the chase with 17 balls remaining.
- Aneurin Donald (TR) – Statz Rating: 59.29 | 17 off 6 (SR 283, 1 four, 2 sixes) – Brutal acceleration in the middle overs, strike rate of 283 changed the momentum.
- Lewis Gregory (TR) – Statz Rating: 48.61 | 2 for 20 from 3.2 overs (economy 1.0) – Tight bowling under pressure, named official Man of the Match.
Turning Point
The match turned when Joe Clarke was caught out at 108 for 3 in the 19th over (ball 19.2). Clarke had been carrying Phoenix’s innings at a strike rate of 138, and his dismissal left Phoenix with only the tail to add runs. The final over yielded just 3 runs, leaving Rockets needing just 112 – a target they chased down with contemptuous ease.
Match Context
This was the 22nd match of 34 in The Hundred 2026 group stage. Rockets (1st, 5W 1L, 16pts) extend their lead at the top of the table with a dominant display. Phoenix (8th, 1W 3L, 4pts) remain rooted to the bottom and facing an uphill battle to qualify. See the full scorecard on Statz for the complete breakdown, and check the bet builder for more analysis.
