McMullen powers Rockers to seven-wicket win over Cosmic, maintain clean slate in ETPL

Brandon McMullen struck an unbeaten half-century to power Edinburgh Castle Rockers to an impressive seven-wicket victory over Glasgow Cosmic in the ETPL at the Voorburg Cricket Club in Netherlands on Sunday.

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Having already defeated Glasgow in the tournament’s opening Scottish derby, the Rockers produced another assured performance to complete a second victory over their rivals and strengthen their position at the top of the table.

Edinburgh won the toss and elected to bowl, but Glasgow made a solid start through Jason Roy and Finn Allen. The opening pair put 30 on the board before Allen was dismissed for nine, while Roy followed shortly after for 20.

George Munsey then added momentum with a brisk 31 from 24 balls, but Tom Curran removed the Glasgow captain at 72 for three. Liam Livingstone and Richie Berrington subsequently shifted the innings up a gear.

George Munsey added momentum for Glasgow Cosmic with a brisk 31 from 24 balls

Livingstone struck 36 from 30 balls, including two fours and two sixes, before Trent Boult dismissed him at the end of the 17th over. Berrington then produced the most explosive innings of the Glasgow effort, smashing 38 from just 20 balls, with two fours and three sixes as Glasgow closed on 159 for six from their 20 overs.

The Rockers’ chase began at pace. Ross Adair struck three sixes in his 21 from 11 balls, but Oliver Davidson removed him in the third over. JJ Smuts also fell cheaply, leaving Edinburgh 28 for two.

McMullen’s unbeaten 82 proved decisive

Andries Gous and Brandon McMullen then took control. The pair added 108 runs from 68 balls, transforming the chase and putting Edinburgh firmly ahead of the required rate. Gous played the anchor role, scoring 49 from 40 balls, with five fours and a six, while McMullen attacked from the other end and scored an unbeaten 82 from 47 balls.

Gous was eventually dismissed by Lungi Ngidi at 136 for three, but by then the foundation had been laid. McMullen remained at the crease with Laurie Evans, with the Rockers needing only 23 runs from the final four overs.

Trent Boult took two for 31 to stall Glasgow Cosmic’s progress

The pair kept the chase under control, and Edinburgh reached 163 for three with six balls remaining, completing another successful pursuit against Glasgow.

McMullen’s unbeaten 82 proved decisive, while Gous 49 provided the stability that allowed the Rockers to absorb the loss of early wickets. For Glasgow, Berrington and Livingstone supplied a strong finish with the bat, but their total ultimately fell short against an Edinburgh side that maintained control through the chase.

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The result gives the Rockers another victory in the Scottish rivalry and further underlines their consistency throughout the tournament. With another successful chase against Glasgow, Edinburgh continue to set the standard at the top of the ETPL remaining the only unbeaten team.

“Conditions have changed a little bit and we’ve adapted when we needed to. At the start, you’re feeling it out as captain. You want guys to be confident with their plans. I’ll chip in if it’s not a great plan. With the bat, I think it’s just being real clear and playing what’s in front of us. You wanna give everyone a go when you can. Conditions could change in Malahide. Could be the same team again. I dunno yet. But you wanna keep everyone involved as much as you can,” said Edinburgh skipper Mitchell Santner.

Brief scores: Glasgow Cosmic 159 for six in 20 overs (Jason Roy 20, George Munsey 31, Liam Livingstone 36, Richie Berrington 38; Trent Boult 2/31, Tom Curran 2/29) lost to Edinburgh Castle Rockers 163 for three in 19 overs (Ross Adair 21, Andries Gous 49, Brandon McMullen 82 not out; Oliver Davidson 2/31).