Abbey Freeborn remains confident in Trent Rockets’ ability to make the knockout stages of the Hundred despite a three-wicket defeat to Birmingham Phoenix.

“I think we have got to have a bit of luck on our side with run rates and results going our way, but I still back us to get through,” said Freeborn, who top-scored with 30 in the Rockets’ 125 for seven.

She put on 54 with Heather Graham as the Rockets recovered from 63 for four shortly after halfway, and praised the effectiveness of that pairing.

“We worked well together, because my strengths are against spin, and hers are against seam. It felt like we were always aiming to attack, so it was really good,” Freeborn said.

“It was the first time we have lost quick wickets in the tournament. We have done well to come this far without doing it, and it is really nice to have that innings out there with Heather; she played really well.”

The partnership helped the Rockets double their total, but it ultimately proved to be too little, as the Phoenix overhauled their target with six balls to spare.

“I completely backed us to defend that total but we weren’t quite there on the day,” she admitted. “We were towards the lower end of a winning total if I am being completely honest.

“It was quite a nice pitch to bat on, so maybe 10 runs more would have done the job.”

Phoenix did suffer their own top order collapse, as they fell to 58 for five, but they too recovered effectively in the lower order, as 38 from Erin Burns guided them over the line.

The initial exchanges of the chase were dominated by the Rockets, as the dangerous Shafali Verma was caught by Graham off Katherine Brunt having made only 16.

“Getting Verma early was a massive wicket for us,” reflected Freeborn. “We were targeting getting her early, but unfortunately for us [Erin] Burns batted really well at the end, as did [Emily] Arlott.”

Despite the defeat, Freeborn was enthused by the atmosphere generated at Trent Bridge, saying: “It is absolutely incredible. To be honest, it has exceeded my expectations for the first year of The Hundred.

“It is so special to play at our home ground with such a special crowd supporting us all the way. It is something we are grateful for, and it does give us that extra push, that extra lift when things get difficult.

“They were difficult with us all the way today, even when Phoenix looked like they had it in the bag, they were still backing us and it is an incredible feeling.”

The Rockets will attempt to channel the Trent Bridge atmosphere once more when they take on already-eliminated Manchester Originals in a must-win clash on Sunday.

"The Originals pulled out a good win against the Superchargers, so we have got to put up a fight and play our best cricket so that we have a good chance of winning,” said Freeborn.

“If we can do that, I back us to get through to the eliminator.”