London Spirit Hand Trent Rockets First Loss of the Season

When the London Spirit stepped onto the pitch at Lord’s on August 14, 2025, they were ready to make a statement against the Trent Rockets in the 13th match of The Hundred Men’s Competition. The Rockets won the toss and chose to bowl, putting the Spirit in to bat first under the bright lights of the day-night game. The Spirit’s plan was clear: to build a solid total using their strong batting lineup and put pressure on the Rockets’ chase.

London Spirits Innings

The game started with openers Jamie Smith and David Warner walking out, looking to give their team a steady start. Warner, known for his aggressive style, got off the mark quickly, smashing a boundary to score 6 runs off just 5 balls. But his time at the crease was cut short when Sam Cook got him caught by Marcus Stoinis in the fourth set of five balls, leaving the Spirit at 29 for 1. It was an early setback, but the stage was set for the next batsmen to step up. Jamie Smith, the wicket-keeper-batsman, took charge with confidence. He found a reliable partner in captain Kane Williamson, and together they started rebuilding the innings.

Rockets are FIRING 🧨

Lockie Ferguson gets the dangerous David Warner 🌟#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/g29O9ol4SC

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 14, 2025

Smith played with flair, mixing careful shot selection with bursts of aggression, while Williamson kept things steady at the other end. The pair put on a crucial 73-run partnership for the second wicket, taking the Spirit past 50 runs in just 33 balls. Smith was the star, reaching his fifty in 32 balls, finishing with 52 runs off 34 balls, including two fours and four sixes. His strike rate of 152.94 showed how he kept the scoreboard moving. Williamson played a more measured knock, scoring 45 off 32 balls with six fours and one six, anchoring the innings with a strike rate of 140.62.

By the time the strategic timeout came at 60 balls, the Spirit were in a strong position at 96 for 1, looking set for a big total. The Rockets’ bowlers, though, weren’t going to let things slip easily. Sam Cook struck again, getting Smith caught by Joe Root at 102 for 2 in the 64th ball. Williamson’s stay ended soon after when he was stumped off Rehan Ahmed’s bowling for 45, leaving the Spirit at 112 for 3 after 76 balls. With wickets falling, Ashton Turner stepped up to keep the momentum going. Turner played a quickfire 30 off 16 balls, smashing five fours at a strike rate of 187.50, ensuring the Spirit didn’t slow down.

Ollie Pope, coming in late, stayed not out on 17 off 9 balls, hitting three fours to give the innings a final push. Jamie Overton tried to add quick runs but managed only 4 off 4 balls before being caught off Stoinis’ bowling in the last set. The Spirit ended their 100 balls at 162 for 5, helped by 8 extras, including 8 wides. Their run rate of 1.62 runs per ball was solid, thanks to Smith’s fireworks and Williamson’s calm presence. The Rockets’ bowling attack showed moments of brilliance but couldn’t fully stop the Spirit’s flow.

Rehan Ahmed, that is RIDICULOUS 😱#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/hjglePsQVE

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 14, 2025

Marcus Stoinis was the standout, picking up 2 wickets for 27 runs in his 20 balls, dismissing Turner and Overton at key moments. Sam Cook and Lockie Ferguson each took a wicket, while Akeal Hosein bowled tightly, giving away just 19 runs in 15 balls. David Willey was economical too, conceding 22 runs in 10 balls without a wicket. Rehan Ahmed’s wicket of Williamson was a big moment, but the Spirit’s ability to score 150 runs by the 93rd ball showed their batting depth. The powerplay had given them 37 runs for 1 wicket, and they made sure to capitalize on that start to set a tough target of 163.

Trent Rockets Innings

When the Trent Rockets began their chase, they knew they had to score at 1.63 runs per ball to win. Openers Tom Banton and Joe Root came out with intent, putting on a strong 73-run stand for the first wicket. Banton was the aggressor, scoring 46 off 31 balls with five fours and one six, playing at a strike rate of 148.38. Root played a supporting role, making 27 off 24 balls with three fours, keeping the chase on track. The Rockets reached 50 runs in 35 balls, and their power play yielded 38 runs without losing a wicket, giving them a good foundation.

Who else? #TheHundred pic.twitter.com/PquoHrW6Q5

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 14, 2025

But the Spirit’s bowlers had other plans. Jamie Overton bowled a brilliant spell, getting Banton bowled on the 52nd ball to break the opening partnership. Daniel Worrall then turned the screws, dismissing David Willey, who scored a quick 11 off 5 balls with a four and a six, and Rehan Ahmed for a duck in quick succession. The Rockets were suddenly 86 for 3 after 60 balls. Joe Root’s dismissal, caught off Liam Dawson’s bowling, left them at 90 for 4. Things got worse when Tom Alsop had to retire hurt for 0, putting the Rockets in deep trouble.

Marcus Stoinis tried to fight back, staying not out on 35 off 22 balls with four sixes, but the rising run rate made it tough. Max Holden scored 7 off 7 balls and Adam Hose made 9 off 5, but both fell to Richard Gleeson’s pace, leaving the Rockets at 125 for 6 by the 94th ball. Akeal Hosein was not out on 1, but the Rockets finished at 141 for 6, 21 runs short, with 5 extras adding to their total. The Spirit’s bowlers were the difference, with Overton’s 1 for 15 in 20 balls setting a tight tone. Worrall and Gleeson each took 2 wickets, while Dawson’s wicket of Root was a game-changer.

That was mega 💫#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/SfrvfRle43

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 14, 2025

Luke Wood kept things tight, giving away 28 runs in 20 balls without a wicket. The Rockets couldn’t keep up with the required rate, especially after losing quick wickets in the middle. The Spirit’s pace attack worked as a unit, making sure the Rockets’ batsmen had no easy runs. In the end, Jamie Smith’s all-round show, with 52 runs and two catches, earned him the Player of the Match award. The Spirit’s win gave them 4 points, strengthening their place in the tournament, while the Rockets, despite the loss, stayed in the hunt with 8 points from 3 matches.

TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game

For the thrilling TCNI’s Magic Moment of the Game, Jamie Smith delivered a standout performance for London Spirit (Men) in their 100-ball innings, scoring a dynamic 52 runs off 34 balls. His knock, which lasted 46 minutes, included two fours and four sixes, boasting an impressive strike rate of 152.94. Smith’s aggressive batting set a solid foundation for the team, helping them reach a competitive total of 162/5. His innings was a blend of calculated shots and powerful hitting, keeping the scoreboard ticking and putting pressure on the opposition bowlers.

Jamie Smith 5️⃣0️⃣

Sensational 💫#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/xdKctytoU4

— The Hundred (@thehundred) August 14, 2025

However, his charge was cut short when Sam Cook dismissed him, caught by Root, after a well-fought 64 balls into the innings. London Spirit’s batting lineup saw contributions from others, too. Kane Williamson, the captain, played a steady 45 off 32 balls, while Ashton Turner’s quickfire 30 off 16 added momentum. Ollie Pope remained not out at 17, ensuring a strong finish. The team faced disciplined bowling, with Marcus Stoinis claiming two wickets and Sam Cook and Lockie Ferguson picking one each.

TCNI’s Hero of the Day

As the Trent Rockets (Men) faced a challenging target of 163 runs in 100 balls, Daniel Worrall emerged as the standout performer with a brilliant bowling display, earning him the title of TCNI’s Hero of the Day. Worrall, a key figure in the bowling attack, delivered 20 balls with precision and control, conceding just 32 runs at an impressive rate of 1.60 runs per ball. His disciplined effort included 8 dot balls, showcasing his ability to keep the batsmen in check and build pressure.

Worrall’s impact was felt most significantly when he claimed two crucial wickets, dismissing David Willey and Rehan Ahmed in quick succession. Willey’s aggressive 11 off 5 balls was cut short as Worrall had him caught behind, and Ahmed fell for a duck just two balls later, bowled by a well-directed delivery. These breakthroughs disrupted the Rockets’ momentum, triggering a collapse that saw them slump from 73/0 to 90/4.