Twitter Reactions: Trent Rockets race into the playoffs after Dawid Malan’s fifty

Trent Rockets have managed to qualify for the playoffs in the Men’s edition of the Hundred. On Sunday, they defeated the Manchester Originals by seven wickets at Trent Bridge in Nottingham. It means that one of Oval Invincibles and Southern Brave will take the third playoff spot.

Munro top scores

Northern Superchargers, in the meantime, have been knocked out and they will be playing for pride in their last game against Birmingham Phoenix. The Originals got off to a decent start, scoring 70 runs off their first 41 balls, but then they lost momentum.

After Joe Clarke’s 17-ball 27 and Colin Munro’s 22-ball 45, the Originals strained. Colin Ackermann, Tom Lammonby, Carlos Brathwaite, and Dan Douthwaite couldn’t get into double digits. In the end, the visitors huffed and puffed to 135 for eight in 20 overs.

In the run-chase, Alex Hales started with three fours before Matthew Parkinson dismissed him. From thereon, Dawid Malan’s 46-ball 52 with seven fours guided the Rockets. Steve Mullaney and Samit Patel gave Malan and assistance by scoring 17 and 35*.

Gregory praises Rashid Khan

After the win, Malan was disappointed for not being able to stay in the middle until the end. Gregory, their skipper, lauded Rashid Khan for his decent performances as well. Malan had words of praise for the Afghanistan spinner as well.

“Good to get the win. Disappointed to not have finished off the game, but having Samit’s experience there at the end was good. We were behind the eight ball but Rashid came on and bowled an unbelievable spell. Restricting them to that total on a used pitch made it easier for us to chase. It has been a strange season, I either hit them well or hit them badly,” Malan stated.

“We came in knowing it was a must-win game, the boys were outstanding. They got off to a flier, we pulled them back in the second half and the chase was well done. He’s a fantastic performer all over the world (on Rashid), for him to be playing the way he’s doing with everything that’s happening around him (in Afghanistan), it’s simply special,” Gregory said.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Trent Rockets’ win:

Interesting scenario #TheHundred 2021 #BirminghamPhoenix clearly leading the table & still have one game left. Behind them is #TrentRockets who sadly don’t have any game…possibility they might not qualify!.

— allthatcricket (@allthatcricket) August 16, 2021

Watching Rashid Khan tonight, you know his head was with his country and to still put a performance like that in is so incredible #TheHundred

— Harnit (@Harnit_) August 15, 2021

How the hell was Rashid Khan not #matchhero in #thehundred ? As well as @dmalan29 played, @rashidkhan_19 changed the game. Brilliant catching too.

Well played #trentrockets though. Great achievement

— ToffeesH (@toffeehaz) August 15, 2021

Dawid Malan great innings, set up by Rashid Khan, what a man

— dt (@DanielTuckwood1) August 15, 2021

Dawid Malan scoring runs when opening the batting.

It's seems like there's where he's more comfortable batting, especially in T20s.

But then do you drop Jason Roy? #TheHundred #T20WC

— Wes Spearman 💙 🎙✒ (@WesNSpearman) August 15, 2021

A poor poor collapse by a disappointing Originals side let's Rocket off.#TheHundred #TrentRockets #Whiteball

— MickJBrowne20 (@MJBrowne20) August 15, 2021

Respect to Rashid Khan. He’s clearly affected by everything going on back home, going by his tweets. But still turned up for his team and put in a match-winning performance today ! 20 balls, 16 runs, 3 wickets! #TheHundred #TrentRockets https://t.co/ZDIciJolf3

— Isolated Tag ➐ (@SithTurnedJedi) August 15, 2021

What a game at Trent Bridge & what a win for Trent Rockets. Fully deserved 👏

Another disappointing defeat & performance by Manchester who are out of the competition…#TheHundred

— Mikey (@mikesj96) August 15, 2021

Good job by Malan, Patel and Khan #TrentRockets #TheHundred

— Martyn Scott ⭐⭐ 💙 (@Martyns5) August 15, 2021