• Joe Root has been the Rockets’ top scorer in two of their seven matches

• Root is the Rockets' second top run-scorer this season

• Recommended bet: Joe Root - Trent Rockets Top Run Scorer

Trent Rockets welcome Birmingham Phoenix to Trent Bridge in The Hundred on Wednesday, with the hosts aiming for a sixth win out of seven.

The Rockets have secured their spot in the top three, but a huge win could see them avoid the Eliminator stage and head straight into the final on net run rate, and Joe Root is the key man in their hopes to seal the victory.

The latest Trent Rockets vs Birmingham Phoenix odds are available at LiveScore

Team News

Trent Rockets approach this clash as favourites after their win over Welsh Fire kept their hopes of winning the group stage alive.

That three-wicket victory came off the back of an impressive display with the bat in defeat to the Oval Invincibles.

Only a win by a large margin against fourth-placed Birmingham Phoenix will move the Rockets top of the standings.

Phoenix sit eight points off the top three, so their chances of making it past the group stage have ended for this season, and they are facing their nearest rivals with just pride left to play for.

Lockie Ferguson came back into the team last time out for the Rockets, having missed out in favour of Ben Sanderson against the Invincibles. Ferguson is expected to retain his spot in the side with no changes to the batting line-up predicted. 

Tim Southee and Louis Kimber sat out last time out for the Phoenix, with Liam Patterson-White and Dan Mousley coming in for the victory over Manchester Originals

Patterson-White may have done enough to keep his spot in the side after taking one wicket for 18 runs in 20 deliveries, while Mousley was not needed with either bat or ball.

​​The stats

Trent Rockets have had a sublime season with five wins from seven matches, with three wins from three at Trent Bridge.

Tom Banton leads the way for the Rockets with the bat, scoring 227 runs, closely followed by Root with 203.

Birmingham have picked up three wins from seven matches, with just one success away from Edgbaston.

The Phoenix have been led with the bat by Liam Livingstone, who has amassed 231 runs at an average of 46.20.

The latest Trent Rockets vs Birmingham Phoenix odds are available at LiveScore

Prediction

The Rockets know that nothing less than victory will do if they are to grab top spot and avoid the Eliminator round.

Defeat would see them face a one-off knockout round against either the Northern Superchargers.

For the Phoenix, they are already eliminated from the competition and playing for local bragging rights only following their defeat earlier in the summer to the Rockets.

Root took a few games to get going in this season’s competition, but has led the way in the last two matches for the Rockets with scores of 64 and 76 and his form will again be pivotal if his side are going to stand any chance of grabbing top spot.

Back Joe Root to be the Trent Rockets' top run scorer at 11/4 with LiveScore Bet