The highly anticipated Hundred 2025 season will start from Tuesday, August 5th and the cricketing world is patiently anticipating the drama and explosiveness England and Wales Cricket Board’s revolutionary 100-ball format has brought to the court. Heading into the fifth season there is growing intrigue in the league as private ownership including IPL owners have bought stakes from the ECB from each side. With the women’s Hundred already gaining a lot of attraction, the influx of private owners is expected to...
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The Trent Rockets Women have had a mixed journey in The Hundred since the competition began in 2021. Representing the counties of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire, and based at the historic Trent Bridge Stadium in Nottingham, the Rockets have consistently shown glimpses of potential but are yet to establish themselves among the elite. Across the four completed seasons, the side has seen moments of brilliance, but their search for a first title continues.
Formed as part of the ECB’s vision for a bold new 100-ball cricket format, the Trent Rockets Women entered the tournament with big ambitions and a strong English foundation. One constant in their setup from the very beginning has been star all-rounder Nat Sciver-Brunt, who served as the captain from 2021 to 2024. Known for her calm leadership and match-winning performances, Sciver-Brunt was the face of the franchise throughout their early campaigns.
Their inaugural season in 2021, however, was underwhelming as they finished seventh, failing to build early momentum. The following year brought a marked improvement. In 2022, the Rockets delivered their best performance yet, finishing third in the league stage and qualifying for the Eliminator. Though they fell short of reaching the final, the campaign marked a high point for the team and laid a foundation for future seasons.
In 2023, the Rockets once again made it to the playoffs, finishing fourth in the table. However, they couldn’t advance past the Eliminator, ending their campaign with another near miss. The team showed fighting spirit and depth, but lacked the finishing touch in key moments. Despite this, the side earned praise for their balanced squad and aggressive style of play.
By 2024, expectations had grown, but results didn’t quite match. The team slipped slightly, finishing fifth and narrowly missing out on a third consecutive playoff appearance. The season raised questions about the need for change, especially as other franchises started strengthening with overseas stars and deeper squads.
Heading into the 2025 season, the Trent Rockets Women find themselves at a crossroads. In a major development, Nat Sciver-Brunt stepped down from the captaincy ahead of the new season. Taking the reins is Australian all-rounder Ash Gardner, who now faces the task of reinvigorating the squad and steering them back into playoff contention. With experienced England coach Jon Lewis at the helm, the Rockets are aiming to bring a new edge to their campaign and make a serious push for their first-ever title.
With four seasons behind them, the Rockets are still in pursuit of that elusive breakthrough. But with leadership changes and a renewed focus, 2025 could be the year the women in yellow finally rocket to the top.
Since the beginning of The Hundred in 2021, the Trent Rockets Women have consistently fielded a squad full of quality and ambition. At the heart of their journey has been a strong leadership core, with the experienced Nat Sciver-Brunt being the franchise’s most significant and longest-serving captain. Over the first four editions of the tournament, she has shaped the team’s tactical outlook and identity. Calm under pressure, tactically sharp, and a match-winner with both bat and ball, Sciver-Brunt brought stability and authority to the leadership group during her tenure.
While the Rockets have yet to capture their maiden title, their progress as a unit under her leadership has been noticeable. The Rockets qualified for the playoffs in both 2022 and 2023, underlining the positive direction under Sciver-Brunt’s captaincy. Though they never made the final, they built a reputation as a tough, well-drilled side that could challenge the best on their day.
Backing Sciver-Brunt during this journey were a number of influential vice-captains. Key among them was Katherine Sciver-Brunt, a legendary England seamer and natural leader who was vice-captain during the team’s formative years. Her presence in the leadership group gave the Rockets additional tactical depth and helped mentor younger players. In subsequent seasons, the vice-captaincy was shared between overseas talents such as Elyse Villani and Mignon du Preez, who brought vast international experience and composure to the squad dynamic.
Ahead of the 2025 season, a significant leadership change was made. Nat Sciver-Brunt stepped down from the captaincy, bringing an end to a four-season spell as the on-field leader. The baton has now been passed to Australian all-rounder Ashleigh Gardner, a player renowned for her aggressive mindset, explosive skills, and growing stature as a global leader. Gardner now faces the challenge of building on the foundations laid by Sciver-Brunt and taking the Rockets into a new chapter.
Let’s take a closer look at the Trent Rockets Women’s captain and vice-captain combinations over the years:
Nat Sciver-Brunt was not just the leader but the identity of the Trent Rockets during the first four seasons of The Hundred. Combining calm decision-making with world-class performances, she led the team through their evolution from early struggles to genuine contenders.
Beyond the numbers, Sciver-Brunt was instrumental in building the team culture and establishing the Rockets as a respected force in the league. Her leadership ensured that the team remained competitive, even against stronger, more seasoned opposition. Her departure as captain marks the end of an era for the franchise.
Ashleigh Gardner’s appointment as captain ahead of the 2025 season signals a new dawn for Trent Rockets. A proven performer for Australia and known for her bold, attacking brand of cricket, Gardner brings international pedigree and fresh perspective. While this will be her first stint leading a franchise in The Hundred, her global experience and leadership potential make her a natural successor.
The 2025 season will be Gardner’s chance to stamp her authority and inspire the next chapter of Rockets cricket. With a blend of youth and experience in the squad, and new energy at the top, there’s cautious optimism that her tenure could take Trent Rockets Women one step further into title-winning territory.
Since their inception in 2021, the Trent Rockets Women have established themselves as a competitive and resilient outfit in The Hundred. Representing Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire, and playing out of the iconic Trent Bridge stadium, the Rockets have grown steadily over the first four seasons. While they are still in pursuit of their first title, the team has made notable strides with back-to-back playoff appearances in 2022 and 2023, and a reputation for producing consistent performers with both bat and ball.
As of July 2025, the Rockets have made the playoffs twice in four completed seasons and finished in the top five three times. They have been praised for their balanced squad and disciplined bowling unit, often making life difficult for some of the more dominant sides. Heading into the 2025 season under new captain Ashleigh Gardner, the team is hoping to build on past consistency and finally go all the way.
The Trent Rockets Women’s team records reflect a side that has been competitive but is still striving for a major breakthrough. Their highest team total of 158/5 came against London Spirit in 2024, showcasing their ability to post strong scores when top-order clicks. Their lowest total, 96/9 versus Southern Brave in 2021, highlights early growing pains in their inaugural season. With two playoff and Eliminator appearances in 2022 and 2023, their best league finish came in 2022 when they placed 3rd. Though yet to win a title, the Rockets have remained consistent contenders.
Nat Sciver-Brunt dominates Trent Rockets’ individual records, underlining her all-round impact. With 967 runs, she is the franchise’s highest scorer and also leads in boundaries (123 fours) and sixes (14), as well as having the most fifties (7). Her top score of 81* came in a standout knock against London Spirit in 2023. On the bowling front, Alana King is the leading wicket-taker with 19 scalps, while Sammy-Jo Johnson holds the best figures with 4/17. Sarah Glenn leads in fielding with 9 catches. Despite strong performances, the side still awaits its first individual century.
Since the inaugural season of The Hundred in 2021, Trent Rockets Women have steadily developed into a strong, competitive force. Representing Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire and based out of the historic Trent Bridge, the franchise has carved out its identity through fierce contests, spirited performances, and an evolving squad led by some of the game’s biggest names. Along the way, several rivalries have emerged—some built on regional proximity, others on high-stakes showdowns. These matchups have defined the Rockets’ journey so far and continue to shape their reputation in the tournament.
Here’s a closer look at some of the key rivalries that have come to define the Trent Rockets Women’s journey in The Hundred:
Dubbed the "Women’s Midlands Derby," this rivalry is rooted in regional pride and passionate fan bases. Matches between the Rockets and Birmingham Phoenix have been filled with intensity, emotion, and large crowds. However, the Rockets have struggled in this head-to-head matchup.
With the record split evenly, both teams will view the 2025 edition as a chance to take the lead in the derby and claim bragging rights across the Midlands. Trent Rockets will look to get one up their rivals.
Arguably one of the most intense rivalries in the women’s competition, the Rockets vs Southern Brave clashes have regularly featured high quality cricket and tight finishes. Southern Brave, perennial title contenders and finalists in multiple seasons, have often had the upper hand, but the Rockets have never gone down without a fight. Their encounters have frequently held playoff implications and have showcased some of the competition’s best individual performances.
The Southern Brave have clearly dominated the head-to-head, winning four of five matchups. But for the Rockets, each clash has been a benchmark, and as they enter the 2025 season under new leadership, they’ll be aiming to flip the script on one of their fiercest foes.
This is a rivalry that has developed organically through consistently close contests and critical encounters. Perhaps the most defining moment in this matchup came in the 2023 Eliminator, where Manchester Originals narrowly edged out the Rockets to knock them out of the competition. The emotional stakes in these games have made them some of the most memorable for fans.
The Trent Rockets and Manchester Originals have locked horns with each other four times in history and both these sides have won two matches each.
The Trent Rockets Women’s team, one of the core franchises of The Hundred since its inception in 2021, has steadily grown into a stronghold in the women’s competition. Based out of Trent Bridge and representing the counties of Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, and Leicestershire, the Rockets have always enjoyed robust administrative backing, consistent crowd support, and strong grassroots engagement. While early years saw the team run under the umbrella of traditional county management, 2025 marked a major shift in the ownership and commercial structure of the side. With private investment now shaping the future of the competition, the Rockets have become one of the flagship franchises embracing this new model of modern sports ownership.
Here’s a look at how the Trent Rockets Women’s ownership and sponsorship ecosystem has evolved over the years:
For the first four editions of The Hundred (2021–2024), the Trent Rockets—both men’s and women’s teams—were owned and managed entirely by Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, under the centralized oversight of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). Nottinghamshire CCC, steeped in cricketing heritage and financial prudence, played a pivotal role in establishing the Rockets brand. The club ensured that the franchise was run professionally, invested in talent development across both genders, and built a loyal following in the Midlands.
However, ahead of the 2025 season, the ECB made a landmark decision to partially privatize all eight teams in The Hundred. The move aimed to inject fresh capital, attract international interest, and make the competition more financially sustainable over the long term. As part of this restructuring, Nottinghamshire CCC sold a 49% stake in the Trent Rockets to a private investor group composed of Cain International and Ares Management—for a reported value of £79 million.
This deal, which valued the franchise at approximately £80 million, saw Cain and Ares emerge as joint minority stakeholders, while Nottinghamshire CCC retained a 51% controlling stake. The acquisition was spearheaded by Jonathan Goldstein, CEO of Cain International and a key figure in Chelsea FC’s ownership group, alongside US investor Todd Boehly, who has significant interests across global sports franchises including the LA Dodgers and RC Strasbourg.
Cain International had previously been in the running for other Hundred franchises and was notably interested in London Spirit. But it was the Rockets’ blend of tradition, untapped commercial potential, and strong local market that ultimately secured their investment.
The addition of Cain and Ares brings a layer of global commercial and leisure sector expertise to the table. Their long-term focus aligns with the ECB’s vision of elevating The Hundred into a world-class competition. Nottinghamshire CCC chairman Andy Hunt praised the new partners, citing their strategic vision and shared commitment to deepening cricket’s roots in the East Midlands while expanding the Rockets’ national and global profile.
As the team enters this new phase of dual ownership, expectations are high that Cain and Ares will help unlock additional revenue streams, enhance infrastructure, and support broader fan engagement initiatives both on and off the field.
As one of the flagship franchises of The Hundred, the Trent Rockets have steadily grown into a commercially attractive brand. Their on-field consistency, especially the men’s title triumph in 2022, has made them an appealing destination for brands looking to connect with cricket’s fast-growing, family-friendly audience. Backed by a loyal fanbase in the East Midlands and a venue as iconic as Trent Bridge, the Rockets continue to draw a range of sponsorship deals across key sectors.
At the centre of their commercial lineup is Skips, a leading brand under KP Snacks, the official title sponsor of The Hundred.
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