Trent Rockets Go Top After Finn Allen’s Match-Winning Knock

Trent Rockets registered their fourth win of this season’s Hundred after defeating Manchester Super Giants, a result that lifted them to the top of the points table.

Finn Allen smashed an unbeaten 72 from 35 balls as Trent Rockets moved to the top of the Men’s Hundred table with a six-wicket win over Manchester Super Giants at Old Trafford. Chasing 138, the New Zealand opener led the run chase with a superb innings, helping the Rockets reach the target with 13 balls left despite losing early wickets.

Finn Allen Anchors Match-Winning Chase

The chase began on a disappointing note as Ben Duckett was bowled by Gus Atkinson after two balls of the chase, while trying a scoop shot in the opening set. Sonny Baker then removed Tom Banton (10), putting the Rockets under early pressure. Allen, however, teamed up with Sam Billings to turn the game around, with the pair adding a quickfire 50-run partnership from just 25 balls.

Allen reached his half-century in just 23 balls and remained unbeaten on 72 off 35 deliveries, anchoring the innings with his trademark aggressive strokeplay. Allen smashed 11 fours and two sixes in a commanding 35-ball innings and shifted through the gears after the 75-ball mark, striking Josh Tongue for a six and a four in successive deliveries to put the visitors firmly in control.

Mitchell Santner then provided valuable support with an unbeaten 24 as Trent Rockets chased down the 138-run target with 13 balls to spare, securing a six-wicket victory and moving to the top of the points table.

Buttler and Du Plooy Lift Super Giants to 137

Earlier, Manchester Super Giants made a steady start after being sent in to bat, reaching 38 without losing a wicket in the Powerplay. Craig Overton then changed the course of the innings with a brilliant spell, removing Tim Seifert and Aiden Markram before dismissing Heinrich Klaasen for a duck after just two deliveries, leaving the hosts at 38 for 3.

Jos Buttler and Leus du Plooy rebuilt the innings but found it difficult to score freely against Mitchell Santner’s left-arm spin and Lewis Gregory’s changes of pace on a slow surface. Du Plooy finally broke the pressure with back-to-back sixes late in the innings, while Buttler stepped up in the closing stages by hitting two fours and a six in Gregory’s final set.

Buttler finished as Manchester Super Giants’ highest scorer with an unbeaten 55 from 37 balls, leaving him 24 runs short of the all-time T20 run-scoring record. His unbroken partnership of 81 from 57 balls with Leus du Plooy, who remained unbeaten on 40 from 28 deliveries, helped the home side post 137-3. However, the total was not enough to stop the Rockets.

The score eventually proved too small once Allen settled at the crease, with Trent Rockets completing a comfortable chase to move to the top of the standings.

Trent Rockets Climb to the Top

The Rockets started with a high-scoring defeat at Edgbaston but have won three in a row since and go top of the table with this victory. The result reshapes the congested race at the top of the table.

The day began with five teams level on eight points, separated only by net run rate. Rockets now move four points clear at the summit, while Manchester Super Giants slip to second place. Finn Allen was named Player of the Match.

Follow Cricbites for the latest cricket updates, match schedules, player news, records, rankings and expert insights from around the world.