The Manchester Originals break records Rockets win exciting one-run game

At Emirates Old Trafford in The Hundred, Manchester Originals overcame a record partnership between Nat Sciver-Brunt and Ash Gardner by being composed with the ball in hand.

With three balls remaining and victory in sight, Sciver-Brunt (56 not out) and Australian all-rounder Gardner (36) shared a record-breaking fourth-wicket partnership of 86 and were ready to lead Trent Rockets over the finish line. Gardner was ejected by Kathryn Bryce to put the game back in the home team’s advantage.

In the end, Sciver-Brunt just needed two final-ball boundaries to win the match.

After being asked to bat first, Manchester Originals would have been thrilled to post 137 for 6 on a sluggish surface, but Bryce’s momentum-swinging intervention put a cap on a collective effort.

Their effort was led by Eve Jones (34), Beth Mooney (24) and Bryce (32) herself, and they reached their highest total since 2022. Once more, Sophie Ecclestone, the captain, provided late impetus with a strong five-ball 13.

Trent Rockets’ response saw early wickets from the quick and outstanding Lauren Filer believed that the Originals were ahead of the pack in terms of WinViz, but the Rockets seemed more at ease despite their increased run-rate once Sciver-Brunt and Gardner joined forces.

Sciver-Brunt looked to have done enough to make it two victories from two for her team when she hit Ecclestone for two fours in the last fifteen deliveries, but Bryce and the Originals had the last word to start The Hundred’s fourth year off well.

According to Meerkat Match Hero Filer, “Today was a true team effort.” It’s excellent to cross the queue because everyone performed their duties.

The pitch has actually slowed down a little bit from the previous game. We felt it was a nice total and we batted very, very effectively.

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“We talked about doing the simple things for longer and nailing our skills, and I think we did that today.”