Sam Bates was at her best before Nat Sciver-Brunt and Beth Mooney stroked half-centuries as Trent Rockets eased past MI London at the Kia Oval to claim a fifth straight win and ensure their progress to the knockout phase of The Hundred.

The Australian left-arm spinner claimed three wickets to move joint top of the competition’s wicket-taking charts, conceding just 13 runs from 20 deliveries and bowling 12 dot balls as already eliminated MI London struggled to 121-5.

The Rockets then strolled to their target with 18 balls to spare, with Sciver-Brunt (67* from 36) notching her first half-century of the tournament and Mooney (54* from 44) rediscovering her form after three single-figure scores. Their stand of 118 was the second-highest partnership in the history of the women’s competition.

MI London had made a steady enough start after being asked to bat, reaching 28-0, but the innings fell away after Bates took the key wicket of Hayley Matthews, trapped lbw.

Hollie Armitage fell cheaply to Charley Phillips and Bates struck twice in consecutive deliveries – dismissing Kira Chathli (31 from 27) lbw before Nicola Carey fell first ball courtesy of a smart stumping by Mooney – as the hosts slumped to 49-4.

Alice Monaghan (27* from 21) and Melie Kerr (17 from 14) gave their team a foothold, and Chinelle Henry (27* from 21) struck four boundaries in a fluent knock after Kerr fell to Georgia Elwiss, but their total looked well below-bar on a good deck against a rampant Rockets outfit.

And so it proved despite Sophia Dunkley, the tournament’s leading run-scorer, being clean bowled by Tara Norris. 

That brought Sciver-Brunt to the crease and the England skipper was untroubled as she and Mooney stylishly saw their team home, cementing their position at the top of the table. With a top-three finish already guaranteed, the Rockets can confirm their place in the final if they beat Southern Brave in their last group match at Trent Bridge on Monday.

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