South African all-rounders Marizanne Kapp and Nadine de Klerk helped London Spirit Women to their first win of the Hundreds season as they handed Trent Rockets their first loss with a five-wicket win in Nottingham.
Kapp took bowling figures of 3-12 from 20 balls. She allowed only her first run with the bat off her 11th delivery. England off-spinner Charlie Dean took 2-18 while home captain Ash Gardner (34) top-scored during the Rockets’ 142-7 at Trent Bridge.
Spirit faltered in the chase from 55-0 down to 67-4 when the hard-hitting Grace Harris (37 off 20) departed, but De Klerk (22 off 41), supported by Marie Kelly (39), secured victory with three balls to spare, hitting a six as she crossed deep square leg to Georgia Adams.
The visitors bounced back from their first loss by being bowled out for 80 by the Manchester Super Giants, with the Rockets unable to dismantle their fellow Midlanders for just 64 on the back of Birmingham Phoenix’s nine-wicket drubbing.
Nadine de Klerk collected six hits for the Spirit in the win.
Highlights for the Rockets on Sunday included Sophia Dunkley (23 off 15) hitting Deandra Dottin for three boundaries in a row. His figures read a remarkable 0-32 from 10 balls after Ash Gardner and Sophie Luff (24 off 19) got her caught later.
De Klerk hit three fours on the trot by Gardner, but it was her own boundary strike that ultimately sealed the game. Two fours and three sixes hit covers, including a late maximum off a full toss from Gardner.
In another women’s match today, Super Giants and Phoenix were thwarted by rain at Emirates Old Trafford. No play will be possible at the scheduled 11am start time.
What’s happening at The Hundred on Monday?
After a four-game weekend, they return to action on Monday with a single doubleheader with the Southern Brave’s women hosting MI London from 3pm and the men from 6.30pm. Watch both matches live on Sky Sports.
