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Duckett hits half-century as Rockets demolish Fire

The Hundred men's competition, Sophia Gardens

• Welsh Fire 122-7 (100 balls): Short 36 (26); Santner 3-35
• Trent Rockets 126-1 (72 balls): Duckett 52* (45), Allen 33 (19)

Trent Rockets won by nine wickets

Ben Duckett struck an unbeaten half-century as Trent Rockets demolished Welsh Fire by nine wickets in Cardiff to make it two wins from three matches in this season's Hundred. Chasing 123 on a tricky two-paced wicket at Sophia Gardens, the visitors made a solid start through Duckett before Finn Allen picked up the pace with a rapid 33 from 19 balls during a 75-run opening partnership. Allen eventually fell to Rachin Ravindra with Rockets needing 48 runs from 56 balls. England opener Duckett, however, continued to build a cautious innings, reaching his seventh half-century in the competition's history in 43 balls.

Fire's task of defending a paltry total was not helped by the seven free hits their bowlers conceded and with Tom Banton adding a brisk unbeaten 31 from 15 balls, Rockets reached the target with 28 balls to spare. The win sealed a double for Rockets over Fire on Wednesday after their women's side had also won comfortably earlier.

Batting first, Fire had huffed and puffed to 122-7 after losing Phil Salt and Joe Root early for single figures to Matt Henry's bowling. Matt Short proved to be the only top-order batter to make a meaningful contribution for the home side with 36 from 26 balls. New Zealand captain Mitchell Santner then sent back his compatriot Ravindra for 16 before Jordan Cox provided Fire with some late impetus. Cox's knock of 33 from 16 balls included three consecutive sixes off Santner but the left-arm spinner accounted for his wicket from the very next delivery to finish with figures of 3-35.

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Three sixes and out for Cox

Southern Brave face Birmingham Phoenix in Southampton on Thursday. In the women's competition, the home side, who sit at the top of the table, will be aiming for a fourth win from as many matches, while Phoenix are yet to win after two games. They meet at 15:00 BST. Brave's men, meanwhile, will be eyeing their first win of the season in the match that follows (18.30). You can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, BBC Sounds and the BBC Sport website and app.

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