Trent Rockets men will face Southern Brave at the Oval tomorrow in the eliminator match of The Hundred with the winners reaching the final to play Birmingham Phoenix at Lords on Saturday evening.
The Rockets finished third in the table after eight games played in English cricket’s inaugural latest franchise competition and will play second place south coasters, Southern Brave, who finished a point above the East Midlander’s with West Midlander’s Birmingham, who topped the table, receiving a bye going straight into the final match.
After a cracking opening to the campaign, the Rockets became the first team in the men’s competition to win three straight matches but three defeats from four saw them fall from the top of the table and almost out of contention, but by winning their last ‘must win’ match against Manchester Originals on Sunday, they secured their status with a playoff to reach the first ever hundred final now at stake.
Going well with the willow is world number one T20 batsmen Dawid Malan who has 200 runs in his eight games played for the Rockets, with the ball, Afghanistan legend Rashid Khan has 12 wickets and heads the table of takers along with the Northern Superchargers Adil Rashid, whilst Marchant De Lange has ten wickets and heads the stats for competition best bowling figures.
As well as the men’s eliminator which will be screened live on Sky on Friday night (6:30pm start), the women’s eliminator match between Oval Invincibles and Birmingham Phoenix will also be played, with the winner against Southern Brave Women in the final.
Trent Rockets women didn’t have quite as successful a tournament as the men, finishing seventh of eight teams winning three, losing four and having one no result from an abandoned match at the Oval.
The eliminator matchday starts at 3pm Friday with the final taking place from the same time on Saturday afternoon. Both mens games are scheduled to start at 6:30pm.
*Main image @TrentBridge the Rockets celebrate a recent win against Manchester Originals.
