The Hundred men’s competition, Trent Bridge
Trent Rockets 146-4 (100 balls): Duckett 64 (47); Carse 2-20
Sunrisers Leeds 141-4 (100 balls): Brook 46 (33); Amir 2-20
Trent Rockets won by five runs
Ben Duckett struck a half-century and took a sharp diving catch to remove England team-mate Harry Brook as The Hundred leaders Trent Rockets beat Sunrisers Leeds by five runs.
The 31-year-old smacked Liam Patterson-White for five consecutive fours to bring up his fifty off 35 balls, but it was an otherwise measured innings from the opener, who made 64 (47), including nine boundaries, to help Rockets post 146-4.
A 71-run third-wicket stand between Mitchell Marsh and Brook put Sunrisers in control of their chase, with just 35 runs required from 20 deliveries.
However, Mohammad Amir only conceded five runs off the next four balls before Brook found a leaping Duckett in the covers to depart for 46 (33).
Amir had Marsh (41 off 35) caught behind by Sam Billings five balls later, finishing with figures of 2-20, and an equation of 25 runs from 10 deliveries proved too much for Dan Lawrence and Tom Alsop.
Duckett had earlier anchored his side’s innings, with his knock in stark contrast to Trent Rockets debutant Aneurin Donald.
Introduced early in the powerplay after Brydon Carse (2-20) bowled Finn Allen, Donald thrashed three sixes and dominated his 63-run second-wicket stand with Duckett, hitting 40 runs off 19 deliveries.
Carse also accounted for Donald, whose free-scoring was unmatched on either side, while Duckett was bowled by Nathan Ellis with five balls remaining.
Tim David was laboured for his 24 (22) but struck a crucial six off the penultimate ball of the innings.
A fourth consecutive victory moves Trent Rockets four points clear at the top of The Hundred table. Sunrisers Leeds remain fifth, with two wins and two defeats.