Southern Brave registered a convincing seven-wicket win over Trent Rockets in a low-scoring match to book a place in the final. The Rockets never recovered from early setbacks, and got skittled out for 96. The Rockets rode on an unbeaten 45 from James Vince to hunt down the target in 68 balls.
George Garton’s triple blow, coupled with Craig Overton’s wicket of Steve Mullaney, reduced the Rockets to 31/4. Dawid Malan looked fluent, smashing three fours early in the innings, before edging one to Quinton de Kock. Alex Hales fell in a similar manner.
The 31-run partnership between Lewis Gregory (11) and Samit Patel was the highest of the innings. Tom Moore then struck a couple of sixes for his 12-ball 19.
After Garton triggered the collapse, Tymal Mills and Chris Jordan killed any chance of resurgence by sharing the last five wickets. Garton and Mills finished with three wickets each, while Overton and Jordan had two apiece.
Quinton de Kock could not add much, but Paul Stirling struck two sixes and three fours in his 19-ball 31 before getting dismissed by Matthew Carter. Vince then made 45 not out in 27 balls to take the Brave across the finishing line. They will now square off against Birmingham Phoenix for the championship, on Sunday, 22 August.
Brief scores: Trent Rockets 96 in 91 balls (Samit Patel 20; Tymal Mills 3-8) lost to Southern Brave 97/3 in 68 balls (James Vince 45*; Marchant de Lange 2-16) by 7 wickets with 32 balls to spare. Player of the Match: George Garton