Nat Sciver-Brunt smashed an unbeaten 67 off 36 balls to send Trent Rockets into the knockout stage of The Hundred women's competition with a nine-wicket demolition of MI London at The Oval.

Chasing 122 for victory, Rockets cantered home with 18 balls to spare — a margin that barely reflected how one-sided the afternoon became once their captain found her range. Sciver-Brunt's innings, studded with nine fours and a six, came alongside Australia's Beth Mooney in a second-wicket partnership of 118: a tournament record for that wicket in The Hundred (BBC Sport).

Mooney played the composed foil, finishing 54 not out off 44 balls while Sciver-Brunt tore into the bowling. The pair came together after the early loss of one wicket and never looked troubled, steadily increasing the rate until the target vanished well inside the allotted 100 balls.

MI London had earlier struggled to 121-5 from their full allocation, their innings derailed by left-arm spinner Samantha Bates. The Australian took 3-13, starting when she trapped the dangerous Hayley Matthews lbw for 10. Bates then struck twice in successive deliveries: first removing top scorer Kira Chathli lbw for 31, then benefiting from sharp work behind the stumps by Mooney, who stumped Nicola Carey off the very next ball (BBC Sport).

A hat-trick loomed. Bates appealed loudly for lbw against Alice Monaghan, and the umpire's finger went up — only for the review to show the ball sliding down the leg side. Monaghan survived, and the hat-trick was denied. She went on to finish unbeaten on 27 off 21, sharing an unbroken stand of the same score with Chinelle Henry, who also made 27 not out from 21. Their late hitting at least gave MI London something to bowl at.

It was never likely to be enough. Sciver-Brunt, who missed Rockets' first two matches of this year's tournament as part of a workload-management plan (Yahoo Sports), has been devastating since her return. The England captain was retained by Trent Rockets as a direct signing ahead of the 2026 season, with £360,000 deducted from the franchise's auction purse to secure her services (ECB). On this evidence, it is money well spent.

Victory lifted Rockets four points clear of second-placed Southern Brave in the standings, confirming their place in the knockout round with breathing room to spare (BBC Sport). For MI London, a third defeat of the campaign leaves them with ground to make up if they are to join Rockets in the eliminator.

The Hundred, now in its sixth season, pits eight city-based franchises against each other in 100-ball innings — a format designed for pace and accessibility. On Saturday at The Oval, that pace belonged entirely to one team.