The Hundred 2023: Trent Rockets preview

Following a strong debut performance in 2021, reaching the Eliminator, Trent Rockets went all the way in 2022 to claim their first title in the Hundred. 

They look a good bet for a solid defence with some great draft picks and retentions.

Trent Rockets' 2022 Hundred performance

The Rockets finished clear at the top of the league stage, before sneaking home against Manchester Originals in the Final at Lord's to become the second men's winners of the competition.

The Trent Bridge side had a number of high performers during their triumphant campaign, notably Dawid Malan with the bat and Sam Cook with the ball. Each had their fair share of support throughout what was a cohesive and effective unit.

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Malan was top scorer in the competition with 377 runs in nine innings, passing fifty on four occasions while striking at a hefty 166.8. He was ably supported by Alex Hales and Colin Munro who scored 259 and 206 respectively while both striking at over 150.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore had a disappointing season, scoring just 132 in nine innings at 110, though he has since impressed immensely with Somerset during their Blast title win and with Peshawar Zalmi in the Pakistan Super League.

All-rounders Lewis Gregory and Daniel Sams also scored three figures, striking at 169.5 and 190.9 respectively in what was a largely settled side.

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The title win was even more impressive given the fact that mercurial t20 superstar Rashid Khan played just two games. Tabraiz Shamsi was his replacement and bowled tidily on the whole without truly making a huge impact in the wickets column.

Cook played just six times but he picked up 11 wickets, including a stunning 4-18 in the Final. Veteran Samit Patel was top wicket-taker for the champions, picking up 13 scalps with a typically miserly economy of 8.01.

Luke Wood was the other to record double figures in wickets, taking ten with his penetrative left-arm style. Sams and Gregory provided useful spells throughout as well, taking nine wickets between them.

Changes to the Trent Rockets squad in the 2023 Hundred draft

Following his disappointing 2022 season, Kohler-Cadmore was not retained. He did, though, get brought back in the top salary band in the 2023 Hundred draft, perhaps as a result of his superb performances in the PSL.

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As if their batting talent was not deep enough, the Rockets strengthened further by bringing in Sam Hain. The 28-year-old has been in sensational form in all formats in the last couple of seasons and was at Welsh Fire previously. 

Brad Wheal, the Scotland international seamer, was also drafted having impressed with London Spirit, particularly in 2021 when he took nine wickets in just three matches.

They also took great advantage of the 2023 Hundred wildcard picks, bringing in Tom Moores and John Turner. Moores played five matches for the Rockets last season, though did not perform as brilliantly as he did in this year's t20 Blast.

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Turner, a pacer from Hampshire, burst onto the scene in the Blast this year. He took 21 wickets in 11 matches with an economy of just 6.67. He will provide strong competition for Cook.

How the Trent Rockets 2023 squad is shaping up

Potential starting XI: Alex Hales, Dawid Malan, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Colin Munro, Tom Moores, Lewis Gregory, Daniel Sams, Rashid Khan, Samit Patel, Luke Wood, Sam Cook

The Rockets look to have considerable strength in depth, particularly in the batting department. There could be an argument where both Joe Root and Hain are not able to find their way in. 

Moores, being the only natural wicket-keeper in the squad and on the back of a superb Blast, is likely to be selected initially.

If he is indeed carded at five, there is scope for deep backup down the order with a number of bowling all-rounders. Feasibly, there could be a selection, as above, where Root and Hain miss out and Patel bats at nine.

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In that XI, there is still plenty of batting though one of Hain or Root would certainly strengthen the lineup. Patel has enormous experience and was a standout in their title win, but Root could in theory offer a few spells of off-spin should they want to bolster the middle order.

Turner is the man in form, but Cook was the star for the Rockets in 2022. Wood should be a certainty, while Matt Carter also presents an option with his off-spin. Wheal adds even more strength to the pace bowling department.

Unfortunately for the Rockets, Rashid will be available for just a week before he departs. Last year was a straight swap with leg-spinner Tabraiz Shamsi and this year they have identified another direct replacement in New Zealand's Ish Sodhi, who helped Somerset to the 2023 t20 Blast title.