Andrew Flintoff’s first match as Northern Superchargers head coach ended in defeat as they suffered a 47-run defeat at home to Trent Rockets on Friday.
Batting first at Headingley, the Rockets scored 185/5 in their innings, with Tom Banton leading the way with 66 runs off 38 balls, including nine fours and a six.
Despite a superb all-round performance from Ben Dwarshis, former England captain Flintoff’s side struggled in response as Chris Green’s three wickets (apart from a 25-run knock) restricted them to 138 for 8 in the innings.
Banton and fellow opener Adam Lyth added 44 for the first wicket before Dwarshuis dismissed Lyth for 12, and Alex Hales made just six before he was caught by Adam Hose off Matthew Potts.
But Banton and Sam Hain took the Rockets to a challenging total in 100 balls thanks to a 65-run stand for the third wicket, which ended when Banton was trapped LBW by England pacer Potts (2-37).
Hain also fell one run short of his half-century, becoming Australian pacer Dwarshuis’ second victim and finishing with 2 for 28 off 20 balls, but Green – who was making his first appearance in The Hundred – scored 25 off just seven balls towards the end of the innings.
Chasing 186 to win, the Superchargers got off to a good start thanks to a 41-run opening partnership between Ollie Robinson (25) and Graham Clark (17).
However, after Clarke was bowled by Imad Wasim, wickets kept falling at regular intervals with pacer Lewis Gregory (2-21) and spinner Green (3-14) doing most of the damage.
Number eight batsman Dwarshuis scored 40 runs off 20 balls with the help of two fours and three sixes, which was a bright point in the Superchargers innings, but eventually the hosts fell way short of their target.
Player of the Match – Chris Green
“I loved my time with the Rockettes – short but sweet. Luckily tonight it worked out for me [with the bat]And I had a lot of fun.
“I enjoyed bowling tonight, it was spin friendly. We had plenty of runs to put pressure on them and it was a fun wicket to bowl on.”
What will happen next?
The Hundred will continue on Saturday London Spirit facing Birmingham Phoenix In the doubles match held at Lord’s.
The women’s game will be live on Sky Sports Mix from 2.30pm (first ball 3pm), followed by the men’s game from 6pm on Sky Sports Mix, 6.30pm on Sky Sports Cricket and 7pm on Sky Sports Main Event (first ball 6.35pm).
Sky Sports will broadcast all 68 matches of The Hundred live this summer, while you can also watch selected matches via free streams on Sky Sports’ digital platforms and the Sky Sports Cricket YouTube channel.
