Despite her best efforts, Trent Rockets Women captain Nat Sciver-Brunt failed to lead her team to victory. Her squad lost by just one run to the Manchester Originals Monday, bringing their 2024 The Hundred season early record to 1-1. Their opponents, the Birmingham Phoenix Women, look to collect their first win after badly losing the season opener to the Oval Invincibles.
Even with Ellyse Perry scoring 65 runs, their loss to the London Spirit didn’t improve much for the 0-2 Phoenix. Both teams look to score a decisive win early in the season.
Game Time Information
The Trent Rockets get their first home game of the season on Wednesday, July 31, when Birmingham travels to the Trent Bridge Cricket Grounds in Nottinghamshire. The official start time is 10:00 AM ET and 3:00 PM local British time. Expect clear skies with no chance of rain. This is the third away game for the last-place Birmingham Phoenix.
Trent is currently tied for third place in the eight-team league. The Welsh Fire and Manchester Originals both share their 1-1 record. Birmingham sits below the Southern Brave and the Northern Superchargers with an NRR (Net Run Rate) of -1.625. A fresh pitch awaits both squads in this first match on the Trent Bridge Grounds.
Trent Rockets Women vs. Birmingham Phoenix Women Fantasy Report
Predicted Playing XI
Trent Rockets:
Bryony Smith, Grace Scrivens, Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain), Ashleigh Gardner, Heather Graham, Katie George, Alana King, Natasha Wraith (wicketkeeper), Josie Groves, Grace Potts, Kirstie Gordon.
Birmingham Phoenix:
Suzie Bates, Sterre Kalis, Ellyse Perry (captain), Sophie Devine, Amy Jones (wicketkeeper), Seren Smale, Emily Arlott, Issy Wong, Charis Pavely, Hannah Baker, Katie Levick.
Pitch Report
According to pitch report statistics, Trent Bridge favors batters historically. The recent West Indies Test series against England saw the home team score 416 in their first innings, and the visiting Windies rake in 457 runs. Look to see the team that wins the toss to bat first and build toward a high run chase.
Betting Odds
Trent Rockets Women are predicted to win this matchup with a 59% Win Probability against 41% for the Phoenix. Payouts for the Rockets stand at 1.75, with Birmingham payouts at 2.15. So far this season, Trent won one game by 20 runs and lost a second on the last ball. Birmingham lost to the Oval Invincibles by 45 runs and the London Spirit by 20. The Trent Rockets are also playing at home, which gives them another edge.
Player Picks
Top Batters
Nat Sciver-Brunt is the strongest Trent Rockets Women batter this season. As her team’s top scorer, the captain has batted 36 not out and claimed a 56-run half-century. Ashleigh Gardner had an impressive second match, scoring 36 behind her captain. Opening pair Bryony Smith and Grace Scrivens had a strong showing in their first game at 23 and 32 runs each. Their poor showing in the loss against Manchester means a strong performance in this match is essential.
Birmingham doesn’t have much to celebrate this Hundred season outside of Australian sensation Ellyse Perry. The Phoenix captain is the highest single-game run-scorer in this match but her unfortunate run-out in the team opening had her walking off the grounds for a 7-ball duck. If Birmingham wants a victory, these mistakes need to be corrected immediately. Wicketkeeper Amy Jones and the New Zealand all-rounder are also strong players needing to step up.
Top Bowlers
Heather Graham is wowing Trent fans this Hundred. Leading the way with five wickets, the all-rounder is a threat both at the crease and behind it. Team captain Nat Scriver-Brunt and Ashleigh Gardner both have two wickets in two games. Katie Levick stands head-and-shoulders above her Birmingham Phoenix teammates. The right-hand legbreak spinner took three wickets in her last match, including London Spirit opening batter Meg Lanning.
Fantasy 11 Squad
Captains
- Nat Sciver-Brunt (captain)
- Ellyse Perry (vice-captain)
Batters
- Bryony Smith (Trent)
- Grace Scrivens (Trent)
- Suzie Bates (Birmingham)
Wicketkeeper
- Amy Jones (Birmingham)
Bowlers
- Katie Levick (Birmingham)
- Emily Arlott (Birmingham)
All-Rounders
- Sophie Devine (Birmingham)
- Emily Arlott (Birmingham)
- Heather Graham (Trent)
Conclusion
Cricket action is hot this week between The Hundred and the India tour of Sri Lanka. Expect the Trent Rockets Women to finish their innings without getting too deep into their batting order. Birmingham used all eleven of their players in their first two games, so having your fantasy squad tip a little to the Phoenix makes sense in this match. Heather Graham is an excellent all-rounder choice. She is a reliable batter and the Rockets’ leading wicket-taker.
