Trent Rockets pair Mitch Santner and Tim David helped steer their side into the knockout stage with a 78-run partnership in a six-wicket win over MI London.
In pursuit of 148 for a sixth win in seven matches, the Rockets made a shaky start, losing the wickets of Finn Allen, Aneurin Donald, Sam Billings and Ben Duckett with 70 runs on the board halfway through their innings.
But an unbeaten 32 off 24 deliveries from David and Santner’s 23-ball 52 not out batting from six catapulted the Rockets to victory with 10 balls in hand.
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Trent Rockets produced a fielding masterclass against MI London, with Tim David’s stunning diving catch and Ben Duckett’s sharp run-out removing James Vince and Nicholas Pooran.
The Rockets extended their lead at the top of the table to eight points and hold the same advantage with a better net run-rate over fourth-placed Welsh Fire, who have two games to play.
MI London lost opener James Vince and Nicholas Pooran in quick succession and after Will Jacks departed for a quickfire 39, the home side were indebted to Sam Curran, who hammered five sixes and four fours in a 46-ball 72, but their 147-7 was not enough.
Billings: I don’t like that behaviour
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Sam Billings says he did not like MI London’s behaviour during their match at The Hundred.
Trent Rockets’ Sam Billings on a confrontation with Richard Gleeson after his wicket was taken:
“Everyone likes the game being played hard and on the field, but there’s a point when you know certainly when the game’s finished or the game’s won or he’s got me out – I just don’t like that to be honest.
“It was the way [Gleeson] kind of apologised on the walk off after the game. I love the game being played hard, but I think I think it was a pretty poor showing.
“You can still behave and in the right way and and be competitive at the same time, so that’s just my opinion but, yeah, it’s even sweeter to get the win today.”
What is happening in The Hundred on Sunday?
It’s another four-match day, with two games apiece at Headingley and Lord’s.
SunRisers Leeds first host Welsh Fire (women’s game 11am, men’s 2.30pm), the two teams jostling for position in the latter stages of both the women’s and men’s tournaments.
London Spirit then take on Birmingham Phoenix (women’s game 2.30pm, men’s 6pm), both battling for pride as they’ve already been eliminated from the women’s and men’s competitions.
Watch every match of The Hundred through to the finals on Sunday August 16. Watch The Hundred and more contract-free on NOW