Men’s Hundred | Rashid Khan’s blazing four-fer coupled with Alex Hales’ heroics crush London Spirits

‌Trent Rockets skipper Lewis Greogy won the toss and opted to bat first against London Spirits at Trent Bridge. The decision didn't work well as Adam Lyth was dismissed on the fourth delivery. However, Alex Haled and Tom Banton steadied the Trent batting and took the scorecard to 65/1 in the ninth set. After Banton’s departure, Hales carried his great form and scored a 30 ball half century. Alongside, Joe Root, the duo built 58 runs and cruised to 126/2 in 80 deliveries. However, Hales was dismissed due to a run-out on the 83rd delivery as Rovman Powell walked into bat. The Root-Powell duo built an important 29 runs stand with the English legend's departure on the second last delivery. With a colossal on the last delivery by Rashid Khan, the Trent Rockets managed to score 166/4 in 100 deliveries. 



In reply, the Spirits were off to a poor start with Michael-Kyle Pepper’s dismissal on the seventh by Imad Wasim. However, Keaton Jennings began his onslaught and scored two fours and a maximum on the fourth set taking the scorecard to 41/1 in 20 deliveries. However, Wasim struck again and managed to get rid of Ollie Pope on the 21st as skipper Dan Lawrence walked into bat. But the introduction of Rashid Khan changed the course of the game as he managed to scalp Lawrence and Shimron Hetmyer in two successive deliveries. The woe persisted when the Afghanistan skipper took the wicket of Keaton Jennings on the 37th and rattling London’s middle order. With Andre Russell walking into bat and joining Matthew Critchley, the spirits were reeling at 54/5 in 40 deliveries. However, Russell and Critchley built a 49-run stand with the Caribbean star striking at 153. But his dismissal on the 62nd further dented hopes for the spirits. Thereafter, Rashid continued his mastery and scalped him fourth dismissing Liam Dawson off the 80th. With 40 needed off 20 deliveries, the London side were hoping for some miracle from Critchley and Olly Stone. But Stone’s dismissal on the 89th turned the game towards Trent as the visitors required 25 off the last 10. Ultimately, the Spirits failed to chase the total bundling out for 144 runs and lost the game by 22 runs. With the win, Trent Rockets stay alive in the tournament and will now aim for a playoff berth.

He won it alone!

Rashid Khan finishes with 4 wickets today! Amazing performance 🇦🇫🏏#TheHundred

— American Wickets (@AmericanWickets) August 7, 2024

He is for sure!

Rashid Khan is some cricketer 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #TheHundred

— Tom Palmer (@Thomas_Palmer88) August 7, 2024

He is a true warrior!

Rashid khan single handedly won this game with his wickets

— ⭐⭐⭐Like-a-VIRGIL⭐⭐⭐ (@Like_A_VIRGIL_4) August 7, 2024

Hahaha! Yes!

Alex hales won it for them

— Ian Britton (@ianbritton2) August 7, 2024

Rashid the match winner!

@thehundred Winning a franchise tournament is simple. Just have @rashidkhan_19 in your team #TheHundred

— SportsFan 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@s_k_s1971) August 7, 2024

Haha!

Wondered wtf rockets were doing with these bowlers, then saw the Turner craic



Yikes#TheHundred

— Nellberg cricket 🏏 (@nellbergcricket) August 7, 2024

???

Not sure this heartbeat background noise whilst waiting for a review decision in the 💯is adding any value #TheHundred

— Pauline 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿💃🌹 (@PaulineMilligan) August 7, 2024

LOL!

Lol, Critchely already surrendered. 🤣🤣🥲 #TheHundred

— PTT (@Newb1trader) August 7, 2024

:O

No way is that out with the flick on the front pad first #TheHundred

— Michael Bates (@MikeB237) August 7, 2024