Form side Trent Rockets extended their lead at the summit of the table, their fifth win in six games in a nigh-on perfect performance, leaving Birmingham Phoenix firmly rooted to the foot of the table.

After the Rockets elected to field, Will Smeed broke an unwanted record by being the first batter in The Hundred history to be unbeaten without scoring at the end of the powerplay. 25 runs came from that powerplay for the loss of Mitch Owen to Mohammad Amir.

Smeed eventually went for 6 off 16 and the visitors as a group seemed tentative against a well-drilled attack in which spinners Calvin Harrison and Mitch Santner, as well as Lewis Gregory, were outstanding.

Only Joe Clarke, Phoenix leading run-scorer this year, managed to break the shackles, going to a half-century off 37 balls and 62 off 47 in all before he became the fourth victim of Craig Overton’s bucket hands, those catches a competition record. Only Laurie Evans of the rest reached double figures as the hundred balls finished with the score on an underwhelming 111-6.

After Amir’s departure, skipper Sam Billings had juggled his bowlers expertly as he searches for a fourth successive title in The Hundred. And when the Rockets batted, there was little pressure on the openers, Ben Duckett and Finn Allen progressing smoothly to 29-0 in the powerplay.

Mystery spinner Usman Tariq got rid of Duckett for 22, prompting his customary bow celebration, and conceded just six from his first ten, but there were simply not enough runs on the board.

Nye Donald came and went for a typically pugnacious six-ball 17 then Allen and Billings simply knocked the ball around needing around a run a ball. Successive sixes from Billings off Saqib Mahmood, including an outrageous slog sweep, hastened the end and it was academic when Allen hit Tariq to short mid-on for 28 with just six needed. 

The Rockets completed the victory with another Billings six, winning with 17 balls to spare to be sitting pretty with two games to come, their route direct to the final having got that bit easier.

Tickets are selling fast for Trent Rockets' final home games on Monday 10 August, with both teams seeking a place in The Hundred Final. Book in advance to save £5 per adult seat, with all under 16s £5. Buy here...