NICK HOWSON recaps the best of the action from Trent Bridge as the race for the top three intensifies
Birmingham Phoenix kept alive their faint hopes of qualification for the latter stages of the women's Hundred with an impressive win over Trent Rockets, whose own ambitions of a top-three finish are now under threat.
Early wickets followed by three for Heather Graham saw the hosts kept down to just 125 from their full allocation.
Phoenix were reduced to 58 for 5 and looked destined for defeat but Erin Burns (38) and a late onslaught from Emily Arlott (22 not out) completed a remarkable chase with six balls remaining.
Phoenix have to win to stand any chance of progressing so have understandably inserted the Rockets, hoping for some early wickets...
Ball 6: Arlott delivers the ball at the second time of asking and it's a half-tracker which Priest pulls for four. That's the first boundary.
Ball 13: Bit of a moon ball from Gordon and Priest is all over it like a rash, smashing the ball for six.
Ball 17: Banged in halfway up and Priest doesn't miss out on these, heaving the ball over mid-wicket for another maximum.
Ball 20: Key wicket as we approach the final five of the powerplay. Georgia Elwiss gets this right and as Priest looks to make room the ball clatters into middle.
Ball 35: Got her! Erin Burns picks up a cheap wicket, trapping Johnson - not herself today - with a ball that thwacks into back-pad. Johnson reviews but the decision is upheld.
Ball 52: Key moment this as the Rocket lose their entire top three with only 63 on the board. Nat Sciver comes back for a second and is a bit lazy about it as Katie mack's throw from the deep comes in and the direct hit does for her. Fantastic breakthrough.
👏 What a return by the Mack – Katie’s top of the world after running out Sciver! 👏
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 13, 2021
Rockets 63 off 52 balls #TrentRockets 🟡 #BirminghamPhoenix 🟠 #TheHundred 💯
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Ball 55: Much needed boundary for the Rockets. Burns just pitches one a tad short and Abbe Freeborn beautifully dissects the field to reach the rope.
Ball 66: This would have been the cherry on top. Emily Arlott hasn't had much luck and Graham doesn't get hold of a cut but Eve Jones can't cling on.
Ball 68: And that is what can happen. Graham gets to the pitch of this one and hammers it for four.
Ball 87: That drop is looking more and more crucial now. Graham is looking in good touch as she hits the cover boundary again. That brings up a key fifty partnership with Freeborn.
Ball 93: Graham looks for ramp up the pressure but only ends up finding the fielder at extra cover. Gordon has come back with a key set of five here.
Ball 99: Forget momentum, these are key runs for the Rockets who have had to rely on the middle-order. Bryce comes down and bashes the ball for four. Gives them something to bowl at.
Heather Graham helps the Rockets set a respectable total
Phoenix will be pretty happy with 126 as a target after inserting the Rockets. But Brunt and Johnson are canny operators...
Ball 7: Verma doesn't need asking twice. Bryce goes wide and the India opener goes after it and slams it for four.
Ball 8: Now over mid-off! Verma is a real sight when she goes hard at the ball. This was a better hit in many ways. Sit back and enjoy.
Ball 16: Every ball is an event with these two head-to-head. Verma gets the better of Brunt on this occasion, pulling the ball to the boundary.
Ball 18: You can't keep her down for long. Brunt produces the perfect comeback, unleashing the slower ball that has worked all summer long and Verma produces a false shot that can only find mid-wicket.
Brunt bags Verma! Phoenix 22 off 18 balls, needing 126 to win! #TrentRockets 🟡 #BirminghamPhoenix 🟠 #TheHundred 💯
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 13, 2021
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Ball 24: So close! Eve Jones can't get hold of Nat Sciver and Brunt coming in is momentarily in two minds before opting to prevent the boundary.
Ball 29: Eve Jones takes on the England spinner and gets a second boundary from this set of five. Sarah Glenn's lengths haven't been right and Jones bashes it back down the ground.
Ball 32: Jones goes back and she is plumb LBW. She inexplicably reviews but there is no need to worry about that - Davis has the breakthrough.
Ball 44: Johnson takes a second in the over as Mack only gets a leading edge on the ball, which sails right back to the Aussie who leaps and takes a good catch.
Ball 54: Shot of the day! Issy Wong clears her left leg and bangs the ball over the rope. That keeps Phoenix very much in the hunt.
Katherine Brunt gets Shafali Verma
Ball 58: The story of this innings has been just as Phoenix have looked in a good spot Rockets come back with a key wicket. Wong is gone this time as she can't get hold of Bryce properly and skews the ball into the air.
Ball 68: This is a real ebb and flow contest. Burns makes it back-to-back boundaries with a thumping shot through point. Have the Rockets let this slip?
Ball 81: Arlott gets it down to a run-a-ball for the Phoenix with a handy boundary.
Ball 85: Through again! This is a cracking chase and the Rockets have to be second favourites now as Burns dispatches a rather out-of-sorts Glenn.
Ball 92: Down! What a moment. Arlott smashes the ball back from where it came and Johnson can only put out her hands to protect herself. Big moment.
Ball 94: Arlott does it! She gets a full toss from Johnson and slams the ball through mid-wicket for four.
👏 BIRMINGHAM PHOENIX WIN! 👏
— Sky Sports Cricket (@SkyCricket) August 13, 2021
Visitors come back from 71-6 off 58 balls to chase down 126. What a game!#TrentRockets 🟡 #BirminghamPhoenix 🟠 #TheHundred 💯
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"We knew this was a must-win game for us," said hero of the match Burns. "Season was on the line, there was little bit to do, to get one against these guys who well and truly beat us last time was nice.
"It's difficult to keep up form, new format, but knew the total we were chasing. Izzy hit a few into the wind, helped. We've got some solid hitters in the line-up, nice to know that. It's been fantastic. The facilities are amazing, great to play on No.1 ground in front of amazing crowds, been an awesome experience.
Trent Rockets: 125 off 100 balls (13 fours, two sixes)
Birmingham Phoenix: 129 off 94 balls (16 fours, one six)
Birmingham Phoenix win!
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