The Oval witnessed a fascinating contest in The Hundred Women 2025, but the much-anticipated clash between Oval Invincibles and Trent Rockets ended in a one-sided affair. While the Invincibles struggled to find momentum with the bat, the Rockets showed composure and class to chase down the target with six wickets in hand and 16 balls to spare.
The game was a tale of two contrasting batting efforts: the Invincibles crumbling under pressure despite a solid hand from Meg Lanning, and the Rockets calmly pacing their chase under the steady guidance of Grace Scrivens, whose all-round contribution earned her the Player of the Match award.
This victory not only strengthens the Rockets’ position in the table but also highlights the growing maturity of young Scrivens, who is fast becoming one of the standout performers of the tournament.
Oval Invincibles’ Batting Struggles: A Tale of Missed Opportunities
On a good surface at The Oval, the Invincibles would have hoped for a total well above 120. Instead, their innings spluttered to just 109/7 in 100 balls.
Early Setbacks
The tone was set early when Lauren Winfield-Hill departed for just 7 runs, unable to withstand the pressure created by disciplined bowling. Alice Capsey, usually the aggressor, looked promising in her brief knock of 15 but perished while attempting to accelerate.
At 28/2, the Invincibles were already wobbling, and it required a senior figure like Meg Lanning to stabilize the innings.
Meg Lanning’s Lone Battle
The former Australia captain showed her class, compiling a determined 45 off 35 balls. With her trademark precision and placement, she looked a cut above the rest of the Invincibles’ line-up. However, the lack of support at the other end meant her effort was more of an anchor than a launching pad.
Lanning struck five boundaries and kept the scoreboard ticking, but without partnerships, her knock could not blossom into a match-defining innings. When she eventually fell, the Invincibles were left gasping for momentum.
Middle-Order Collapse
The middle order — featuring established names like Marizanne Kapp (7), Amanda-Jade Wellington (7), and Phoebe Franklin (4) — failed to withstand the Rockets’ persistent attack. Each of them fell cheaply, and by the time the 75-ball mark was reached, the Invincibles were crawling at just over a run a ball.
A late stand between Paige Scholfield and Kalea Moore offered a glimmer of hope, but by then, the Rockets had seized control of the game.
Rockets’ Bowlers Shine with Discipline
While the Invincibles’ batting faltered, credit must go to the Rockets’ bowlers who executed their plans to perfection.
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Kirstie Gordon (2/21) was the standout, using her variations cleverly to remove key batters and stem the run flow.
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Heather Graham (1/27) was equally effective, not just with her wickets but also by controlling the middle overs with tight lines.
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The rest of the attack — including spinner Bryony Smith and seamers in rotation — ensured that no partnership grew threatening.
The hallmark of the Rockets’ bowling was discipline. They rarely offered freebies, forcing the Invincibles to take risks, which resulted in wickets at regular intervals. By the end of 100 balls, a total of 109 looked at least 20 runs short of par.
The Chase: Scrivens Leads with Maturity
Chasing 110 on a true Oval surface was never going to be daunting, but in The Hundred, early wickets can change the game quickly. The Rockets, however, ensured no such drama unfolded.
Bright Start with Bryony Smith and Scrivens
Bryony Smith (24 off 21) and Grace Scrivens (34 off 27) stitched together a vital 51-run opening stand, laying the perfect foundation. Both batters complemented each other — Smith with her powerful strokes through the off-side, and Scrivens with her calculated placement and strike rotation.
Scrivens in particular stood out, showing a maturity beyond her years. Her ability to pick gaps, punish loose deliveries, and maintain a healthy strike rate of 125.92 ensured the Rockets always stayed ahead of the required rate.
A Brief Wobble
Both openers fell in quick succession, briefly opening a window for the Invincibles. Smith was caught trying to clear mid-on, while Scrivens holed out after a well-crafted knock. Suddenly, the Rockets were 65/2, and the Invincibles sensed an opportunity.
Gardner and Graham Seal the Win
The middle order, however, ensured there were no further hiccups. Ashleigh Gardner (11) played a breezy cameo, while Heather Graham (19 not out) anchored the finish with calm assurance. Graham’s ability to find singles and rotate strike eased any pressure, and her unbeaten knock underlined her growing value as an all-rounder.
The Rockets reached the target in 84 balls (14 overs), clinching a comfortable 6-wicket win.
Grace Scrivens: Player of the Match
The spotlight rightly fell on Grace Scrivens, whose 34 off 27 balls set up the chase. Still just in the early years of her career, Scrivens has been one of the bright sparks of England’s domestic circuit, and performances like this reinforce her growing stature.
What made her innings special was not just the runs scored but the context. On a surface where the Invincibles’ batters looked uncertain, Scrivens exuded calmness. She judged the length early, avoided risky shots, and capitalized on poor deliveries.
Her all-round contributions throughout the tournament also make her one of the Rockets’ most valuable assets. Against the Invincibles, she proved why she is tipped to become a future England regular.
Tactical Breakdown
This game offered several tactical talking points:
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Invincibles’ inability to rotate strike – Too many dot balls hurt their innings. Even Lanning’s fluent knock couldn’t mask the lack of singles in the middle overs.
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Rockets’ disciplined bowling – Rather than chasing wickets, the bowlers stuck to plans, forcing mistakes from batters.
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Partnerships matter – The 51-run opening stand for the Rockets was the single biggest difference between the two sides. In contrast, the Invincibles never stitched a partnership beyond 30.
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Fielding and intensity – The Rockets’ fielding was sharper, cutting off twos and building pressure, while the Invincibles leaked easy singles.
What This Means for Both Teams
For Trent Rockets
This win boosts their confidence and improves their position in the standings. More importantly, it shows their adaptability — defending totals in previous matches and now chasing comfortably. With Scrivens, Smith, and Graham firing, they look like genuine contenders for the playoffs.
For Oval Invincibles
Alarm bells are ringing. With key batters failing to deliver and their middle order misfiring, the Invincibles need urgent course correction. Their over-reliance on Lanning and Kapp is becoming a weakness, and the younger batters must step up. Bowlers too need to find consistency if the team is to bounce back.
Voices from the Camp (Imagined Reactions)
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Grace Scrivens (Player of the Match):
“It was important for us to get a solid start. Bryony and I wanted to keep things simple — find the gaps and build momentum. I’m really happy to contribute to the team’s win.” -
Meg Lanning (Oval Invincibles skipper):
“We were probably 20 runs short. Credit to the Rockets, they bowled well and then batted with composure. We need to regroup quickly and focus on building partnerships.” -
Rockets coach:
“The plan was simple — keep them under pressure with the ball, and then make sure our batters played with freedom. Scrivens was outstanding today, and it’s great to see young players stepping up.”
Statistical Highlights
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Meg Lanning’s 45 was the highest score of the match, but lacked support.
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Scrivens and Smith’s 51-run stand was the game’s only 50+ partnership.
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The Invincibles managed just 9 boundaries in 100 balls, compared to the Rockets’ 14 in 84 balls.
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Rockets’ win came with 16 balls to spare, underlining the ease of their chase.
The Bigger Picture: The Hundred Women 2025
This season of The Hundred Women has already thrown up fascinating narratives — young players making a mark, international stars showing their class, and tactical innovations shaping results.
For the Rockets, this win cements their place as one of the most balanced sides in the tournament. For the Invincibles, however, questions remain about their batting depth and tactical flexibility. With the competition heating up, every game becomes crucial in the race for the knockout stages.
At The Oval, the Trent Rockets showed why cricket is as much about composure as it is about skill. While the Oval Invincibles floundered with the bat, the Rockets executed their plans with precision, chasing down a modest target with authority.
The day belonged to Grace Scrivens, whose maturity at the top of the order proved decisive. As The Hundred Women 2025 progresses, performances like hers will not only shape her team’s campaign but also underline the bright future of English women’s cricket.
For now, the Rockets march on with confidence, while the Invincibles return to the drawing board, left to ponder how to reignite their campaign.
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