Manchester Originals secured a 10-run victory over defending champions Trent Rockets, disappointing the record crowd at Trent Bridge. They defended a total of 181 for six after Phil Salt’s impressive 86 off 32 balls.
The home team’s bowlers mounted a strong comeback, restricting the Originals to only 69 runs from their last 56 balls. Salt’s explosive innings of 12 fours and five sixes had propelled the Originals to 112 for one from 44 balls, setting them on course for a substantial score.
Despite it being a flat pitch, Daniel Sams (2 for 28) and Lewis Gregory (2 for 30) delivered outstanding performances. Luke Wood bounced back from conceding 14 runs in his first five balls to finish with figures of one for 31 from 20 deliveries.
For the Originals, Josh Tongue (3 for 32) and Paul Walter (2 for 24) were exceptional. Walter’s final set of 14 runs defended proved crucial, disappointing the 15,500 spectators. Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s 64 off 42, Colin Munro’s 36 off 22, and Joe Root’s 35 off 23 weren’t sufficient to secure a victory for the Rockets.
Trent Rockets had chosen to bowl first, anticipating the challenges of defending a total at Trent Bridge. However, Phil Salt’s domination met their decision with regret, as he smashed 30 runs off the first 10 balls and achieved a half-century from just 20 balls. Originals raced to 58 for one during the powerplay, setting a rapid pace.
Phil Salt’s assault on the bowlers saw him hit 12 fours and five sixes. Jos Buttler, who watched Salt’s early boundaries, hit his first ball over the boundary for a six. However, Ish Sodhi’s impressive low catch at midwicket dismissed Buttler after just one delivery.
Sam Cook dropped a straightforward catch at deep square leg, giving Salt a chance on 47. However, Cook had the final say, bowling Salt behind his legs with a slower ball after the Lancashire player had struck him for consecutive boundaries and a six.
As the Rockets slowed the pace, Lewis Gregory took wickets, dismissing Max Holden and Ashton Turner. The Rockets’ bowlers were more strategic, with Sams and Wood finding success. Despite the home side’s efforts, they were left with a challenging target of 182.
The Rockets’ innings started disastrously as Josh Tongue’s unplayable delivery caught Alex Hales behind. Root and Kohler-Cadmore steadied the ship with a partnership of 65 off 40 balls. Kohler-Cadmore and Munro continued the fight, but Tongue’s return spelled their downfall.
With 28 runs required from 14 balls, Tongue removed Munro and Kohler-Cadmore in his final set. The pressure mounted as Zaman Khan conceded nine runs in his last set. With 14 runs needed from the final five balls, Paul Walter held his nerve, conceding only three runs and taking a wicket off the last ball as Sams was caught out.
