A marvellous bowling performance by Daniel Sams followed by an excellent batting display by Alex Hales and Colin Munro helped Trent Rockets outplay the last year's runner-ups Birmingham Phoenix by six wickets in the fourth match of The Hundred 2022 at Trent Bridge, Nottingham on Saturday.
Daniel Sams, Alex Hales set up tone for Rockets
Chasing 144 to win, Trent Rockets found themselves in all sorts of trouble, losing their dangerous-looking opening batter Dawid Malan early off Moeen Ali's bowling after scoring just eight runs.
But, the right-handed batter Hales then joined hands with Munro to share a rollicking stand of 52 runs off just 34 deliveries, before the latter was caught up by Liam Livingstone for 36.
With two wickets down, the Rockets needed a partnership and in came the experienced English batter Joe Root, who teamed up with Alex Hales and stitched a crucial, or safe to say, match-winning partnership of 79 runs for the third wicket to take their side close to a victory.
While Hales cracked 58 runs off 41 balls, Root remained unbeaten for 34 off 26 as skipper Lewis Gregory sliced the winning boundary with three balls to spare.
For Birmingham Phoenix, Tom Helm shined with the ball as he picked up two wickets in his spell of 12 balls and gave away only 11 runs. The spin partners – Moeen Ali and Livingstone also claimed one wicket apiece.
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