Alex Hales’ unbeaten 40 off 34 deliveries led Trent Rockets to a stunning two-wicket win over Northern Superchargers in The Hundred.

Set a target of 133, the Rockets looked set for their first defeat in the men’s competition after the Superchargers reduced them to 85-7 after 71 deliveries. Hales himself was struggling for fluency on a turning wicket and managed just 16 off his first 25 deliveries.

But drama soon followed from the 77th ball of the innings, with Adil Rashid bowling. Hales managed to hit a single off the leg-spinner but the game was then brought to brief halt as the Superchargers’ captain Ben Stokes was seen remonstrating with the umpires. A dead ball was eventually called, reportedly due to an intruder finding his way onto the field.

With the ball rebowled, Hales remained on strike and looked set to hole out to Stokes at long-off, but the England all-rounder parried the ball over the ropes. Hales had his first six of the evening and the match remained alive.

While Luke Wood departed from the 82nd ball of the innings, Matt Carter proved to be the perfect foil for Hales, smashing 13 off eight deliveries. But it was Hales who managed to bring the match to an end, smashing 24 runs off his last nine deliveries, including a six off David Willey to win the game.

How crucial could this drop be?pic.twitter.com/UL16NyZX9O

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) July 26, 2021