Trent Rockets registered a commanding 31-run win over Manchester Super Giants in The Hundred Women’s 2026, but it was Samantha Bates who stole the headlines with one of the most extraordinary catches of the tournament. The Australian left-arm spinner produced a breathtaking “no-look” caught-and-bowled dismissal that left players, commentators, and fans in complete disbelief. Her incredible reflex catch proved to be one of the defining moments of the contest as the Rockets climbed to second place in the standings with another convincing performance.
Sam Bates’ incredible reflex catch leaves everyone speechless
The unforgettable moment came during Manchester Super Giants’ pursuit of 154 at Emirates Old Trafford. Jo Gardner attempted to hit Bates straight back over her head, driving the ball firmly down the ground.
By the time the ball was struck, Bates had already completed her bowling action and had turned her head away from the batter. Yet, in a split second, she instinctively stretched out one hand in her follow-through. Remarkably, the ball lodged safely in her palm despite her not even looking at it.
The dismissal stunned everyone on the field. Television commentators were equally amazed, comparing Bates’ hand to “flypaper” as she held on to a catch that seemed almost impossible. Within moments, clips of the dismissal began circulating across social media, with cricket fans hailing it as one of the greatest reflex catches ever seen in The Hundred. The spectacular wicket also proved to be a major turning point in the chase, as Manchester lost another key batter just when they were searching for momentum.
Here’s the video:
Sam Bates making it look easyyyy 😮💨#TheHundred pic.twitter.com/i7XJbvRk2n
— The Hundred (@thehundred) July 31, 2026
Sophia Dunkley and Sophie Luff power Rockets to imposing total
Earlier in the evening, Manchester Super Giants had won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to make use of home conditions. However, Trent Rockets’ batting unit quickly took control of the contest. Sophia Dunkley led the charge with a superb innings of 57 from just 33 deliveries. She attacked the bowling from the outset, finding boundaries with ease and ensuring the Rockets maintained a brisk scoring rate throughout the powerplay.
Once Dunkley departed, Sophie Luff carried the momentum forward with an equally aggressive knock. Her 51 off only 26 balls provided the perfect finishing touch to the innings, keeping Manchester’s bowlers under constant pressure. Although Sophie Ecclestone picked up two wickets for 24 runs to slow the scoring in the closing stages, the Rockets still posted a challenging 153/8 from their allotted 100 balls. The total always looked competitive ona surface where timing became increasingly difficult as the match progressed.
Also WATCH: Maia Bouchier takes stunning diving catch as Southern Brave stay unbeaten in The Hundred Women 2026
Rockets bowlers complete dominant all-round performance
Manchester’s chase never really gathered momentum after an early setback. Bates made an immediate impact by removing Indian opener Smriti Mandhana, who was stumped after scoring just four runs. The early breakthrough placed the batting side under pressure, forcing them to rebuild instead of attacking. Veteran Australian batter Meg Lanning fought back with a determined 35 off 24 deliveries and briefly kept Manchester’s hopes alive. However, wickets continued to tumble around her, preventing any meaningful partnership from developing.
Rockets captain Ashleigh Gardner then produced a match-winning spell, finishing with outstanding figures of 4 for 16. Her disciplined bowling dismantled the middle order and ensured Manchester never threatened the required run rate. Following Bates’ sensational reflex catch and Gardner’s clinical spell, the Super Giants eventually folded for 122, falling 31 runs short of the target.
This article was first published at WomenCricket.com, a Cricket Times company.
