The Trent Rockets are just the second team to be crowned men’s Hundred champions after they defeated the Manchester Originals in a low-scoring affair at Lord’s earlier this month.
Entering the contest as the cricket betting odds favourites, the Rockets were in a rich vein of form that saw them immediately book their spot in the big dance after topping the men’s table at the conclusion of the regular season fixtures.
On the other hand, the Originals had to overcome a tough outfit in the London Spirit at Southampton to secure their place in the final. It wasn’t going to be an easy task, as the Spirit had defeated them in convincing fashion just a month prior. Couple that with a Spirit squad that consisted of world-class players such as Eoin Morgan, and it was shaping up to be a pick’em type contest.
The Originals proved far too strong however, cruising to a five wicket win off the back of a stellar performance with the willow from their captain and opening batsman Laurie Evans. He was the top scorer on the night with 72 runs from 34 balls.
If they were to beat a team as deep and well-rounded as the Rockets in the final however, they needed to build on their semi-final success. As play began, the Originals were reminded that the league leaders were a different kettle of fish, with the Rockets’ bowling attack ripping through their top order. Sam Cook and Sami Patel starred with the ball for the Rockets, taking four and three wickets respectively.
The Manchester side managed a less than impressive total of 121 – and at the change of innings – the Rockets had firmly positioned themselves as the favourites heading into the second stanza. Against any other team and they probably go on and do the job with ease, but this Originals outfit have demonstrated time and again throughout this season that they are a resilient bunch.
As both teams ran out for the second innings, you just had a feeling that there was more drama to unfold. The Originals bowlers came to win, with Josh Little, Paul Walter, Tom Hartley and Matt Parkinson all tallying two wickets apiece. Not one Rockets batsman scored more than 20, which set up a nail-biting finish that saw the batting team needing 11 runs off the final five balls.
What ensued was as good a product you will see in English cricket, as two boundaries from Rockets captain Lewis Gregory in the final over secured the Nottingham-based franchise with their first Hundred triumph.
“What a place to play,” Gregory said. “To win a final here is amazing and the crowd have been fantastic tonight and throughout the whole competition.”
The victory means the Rockets join the Oval Invincibles women as the winners of The Hundred competition in 2022, as the latter took care of business against the Southern Brave to win by five wickets earlier in the day.
If you’re an avid fan of the game or simply enjoy researching the cricket betting tips, The Hundred has proven to be yet another success.
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