Nat Sciver-Brunt leads Trent Rockets to Hundred knockouts

Sam Bates was at her miserly best before Nat Sciver-Brunt and Beth Mooney stroked half-centuries as Trent Rockets eased past MI London at the Kia Oval to claim a fifth straight win and ensure their progress to the knockout phase of the Hundred.

Bates, the Australian left-arm spinner, claimed three scalps to move joint top of the competition's wicket-taking charts, conceding just 13 runs from 20 deliveries and bowling 12 dot balls as already eliminated MI London struggled to 121 for 5.

Rockets then strolled to their target with 18 balls to spare, with Sciver-Brunt (67 not out from 36) notching her first half-century of the tournament and Mooney (54 not out from 44) rediscovering her form after three single-figure scores. Their stand of 118 was the second-highest partnership in the history of the women's competition.

After being asked to bat, MI London had a good start and reached 28 for 0, but the innings ended when Bates took the crucial wicket of Hayley Matthews, who was caught behind the stumps.

Hollie Armitage fell cheaply to Charley Phillips and Bates struck twice in consecutive deliveries - dismissing Kira Chathli (31 from 27) lbw before Nicola Carey fell first ball courtesy of a smart stumping by Mooney - as the hosts slumped to 49 for 4.

Alice Monaghan and Melie Kerr gave their team a foothold, and Chinelle Henry struck four boundaries in a fluent knock after Kerr fell to Georgia Elwiss, but their total looked well below-bar on a good deck against a rampant Rockets outfit.

And so it proved despite Sophia Dunkley, the tournament's leading run-scorer, being clean bowled by Tara Norris for a third-ball duck.

That brought Sciver-Brunt to the crease and the England skipper was untroubled as she and Mooney stylishly saw their team home, cementing their position at the top of the table. If Rockets defeat Southern Brave in their final group match on Monday at Trent Bridge, they will secure a spot in the final if they finish in the top three.

The Meerkat Match Hero, Sciver-Brunt, commented, "Another good performance today." Our batting lineup has been explosive throughout the tournament, and we really wanted to get ahead of the game."

On Mooney's return to form, she added: "I'm really pleased for Beth. She's been wanting to be involved in the game a little bit more with the bat. She desires additional runs. She stuck in there and played a great innings today."