Aussie duo Ashleigh Gardner and Alana King led Trent Rockets to a crucial 31-run victory over London Spirit at Trent Bridge, with their combined six-wicket haul proving pivotal in restricting Spirit to 127 for 7 while chasing 158.
Gardner and King’s efforts were instrumental as the star-studded Spirit lineup struggled against their spin. Grace Scrivens scored a solid 55 from 43 balls for the hosts but had to leave the field after being struck in the face while attempting a catch.
The win snapped a three-game losing streak for the Rockets and was achieved despite Nat Sciver-Brunt, the tournament’s top run-scorer, contributing only 21 from 12 balls. Scrivens played a standout innings, sharing a 74-run opening partnership with Bryony Smith, who added 34 from 22 balls. Their stand was broken when Charlie Dean’s fingertip intervention led to Smith being run out.
India's Deepti Sharma took key wickets, including Sciver-Brunt and Gardner, but Heather Graham’s unbeaten 22 from 12 balls provided a crucial late boost.
The Spirit’s chase faltered early as Gardner dismissed Georgia Redmayne and Cordelia Griffith in successive deliveries, and King removed former Australia captain Meg Lanning, caught by Kirstie Gordon. Gardner also trapped Dani Gibson lbw, and King’s dismissal of Heather Knight left Spirit with no hope, despite Knight’s 29 from 20 balls.
Both Gardner and King finished with 3 for 23 from 20 balls, delivering a match-winning performance. Gardner described the win as significant, noting, “It was huge for us. It was the first time we put all three facets of the game together: the openers set a great platform, we bowled well, and fielded cleanly. It was a pretty perfect performance.”