Tristan Stubbs' Half-Century Denies Trent Rockets Automatic Final Spot

Tristan Stubbs produced a stunning unbeaten half-century as Southern Brave ended Trent Rockets' six-match winning streak with a six-wicket victory at Trent Bridge, leaving the Rockets facing an anxious wait to discover whether they will qualify directly for The Hundred final.

The Rockets needed a victory to secure top spot in the table and book their place in Sunday's final at Lord's. Instead, Stubbs and Marcus Stoinis powered Southern Brave to a convincing chase of 159, reaching 159 for 4 with six wickets in hand.

Stubbs remained unbeaten on 52 from just 28 balls, reaching his half-century with three balls remaining when he launched Lewis Gregory over the boundary for six.

He was superbly supported by Stoinis, who smashed 46 from 25 deliveries. The pair added 70 runs from just 41 balls for the fourth wicket, turning a closely fought contest decisively in Brave's favour.

Southern Brave began their chase steadily. Jamie Smith and Moeen Ali put on 40 without loss from the first 25 balls before Craig Overton provided the Rockets with a breakthrough.

Smith was dismissed after a spectacular relay catch involving Finn Allen and Calvin Harrison. Harrison then struck with his fourth delivery, catching and bowling Moeen before removing David Miller soon afterwards.

With the Brave under pressure, Stoinis arrived and immediately changed the momentum. The Australian smashed Harrison for two sixes and a four from his first three balls, putting Southern Brave firmly in control.

Stoinis eventually fell to Ben Sanderson, caught at extra cover after mistiming a slower delivery, but by then Stubbs had taken charge. His unbeaten 52 completed a memorable chase and gave Southern Brave a much-needed victory.

The result left Southern Brave sixth in the standings after an inconsistent campaign, while the Rockets missed their opportunity to secure automatic qualification for the final.

Earlier, Trent Rockets posted 158 for 5 after being asked to bat first. Ben Duckett scored 17 from 14 balls, Finn Allen made 23 from 12 and Aneurin Donald contributed 19 from just nine deliveries, but none could convert their starts into a substantial score.

The Rockets were in trouble at 92 for 5 before Mitch Santner and Lewis Gregory produced a crucial late partnership.

Santner remained unbeaten on 35 from 23 balls, continuing the excellent form that saw him register his maiden Hundred half-century in the Rockets' previous match against MI London. Gregory provided equally valuable support, finishing unbeaten on 28 from 18 balls.

The pair added 66 runs from 39 deliveries, with Gregory striking consecutive boundaries at the end of the innings to push the Rockets to 158.

However, the total ultimately proved insufficient as Stubbs and Stoinis dismantled the Rockets' bowling attack.

The defeat means Trent Rockets must now wait for the result of Tuesday's match between Sunrisers Leeds and Manchester Super Giants. Sunrisers Leeds can overtake the Rockets on net run rate and claim top spot if they win at Emirates Old Trafford.

For Southern Brave, the victory provided a positive ending to a disappointing campaign.

Reflecting on the season, Stubbs admitted that the team's slow start had made it difficult to build momentum.

"It's been disappointing but it's a nice way to finish off," Stubbs said. "We gave it our all for the month, but in the first three games we lost a couple of close ones and then it's hard to get momentum."

The South African batter added that Brave had eventually shown their true potential.

"I think we've shown at the end what we can do, but it took us a while to get there," he said.

Stubbs' unbeaten 52 ensured Southern Brave finished their campaign on a high, while Trent Rockets will now watch Tuesday's result closely to learn their fate ahead of the Hundred knockouts.