Summary

  • Rockets struggle for fluency but manage to post 138-6 as Malan hits 59

  • Brave look out of contention with 66 needed off last 30 balls

  • But a superb stand of 71 between Davies (51 not out) and Whiteley (30) takes them close

  • David hits two massive sixes to help them seal victory with five balls to spare

  • Rockets miss chance to go top and seal knockout spot, Brave keep slim hopes alive

  • Friday's matches: Welsh Fire v Northern Superchargers women (15:30 BST) & men (19:00)

Live Reporting

Michael Beardmore and Josef Rindl

  1. Tom Abell
    Somerset all-rounder on BBC radio

    Great figures from Stirling. Having your sixth of seventh bowler play such a prominent role gives you that extra freedom and flexibility.

  2. Rockets 44-2

    Tidy set from Paul Stirling. After 15 balls he's 1-10.

  3. Rockets 42-2

    Patel 2, Malan 24

    Paul Stirling returns to the attack. His first two balls go for two singles.

  4. Tom Abell
    Somerset all-rounder on BBC radio

    Not the most fluent start from the Rockets, but I don't think they'll be too flustered.

  5. Rockets 40-2

    Samit Patel is the next man in for the Rockets.

    This is not the blistering start we're used to from the visitors.

  6. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio

    That is a very good catch from Fuller. We've just not been able to keep him out of the game, he has been quite busy.

  7. wicket

    WICKET

    Kohler-Cadmore c Fuller b Lintott 8 (Rockets 39-2)

    Tom Kohler-Cadmore looks to go down the ground but mistimes it, seeing the ball go straight down the throat of James Fuller on the long-off boundary.

    The Rockets are in trouble.

  8. Henry Moeran
    BBC Radio

    This is the way Dawid Malan plays. He can start slow but accelerate quickly.

  9. 6 runs

    Rockets 38-1

    That's more like it!

    The first six of the day as Dawid Malan slog-sweeps Jake Lintott for a maximum over the leg side. A sign of things to come?

  10. Rockets 30-1

    Kohler-Cadmore 8, Malan 14

    Still no boundaries as James Fuller restricts Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Dawid Malan to singles.

  11. Melissa Story
    BBC Radio commentator

    It's been such a quiet powerplay for the Rockets. They have struggled to pierce the fielders in the inner ring.

  12. Rockets 28-1

    Power play done. I'd say the Brave will be the happier but we've still got a long way to go.

  13. 75 balls to goBBC Sport

  14. Rockets 27-1

    But this delivery is punished as TKC smashes a wide one through the covers for four.

  15. Rockets 22-1

    We turn to wrist spin with Rehan Ahmed bowling the next set. He starts with a full toss which Dawid Malan fails to put away.

  16. Melissa Story
    BBC Radio commentator

    The Southern Brave crowd are enjoying this. Stirling has looked like a full-time spinner.

  17. Rockets 21-1

    Dawid Malan and Tom Kohler-Cadmore are happy to knock the ball around.

    They've got to recover and build a platform now.

  18. Rockets 18-1

    Paul Stirling is getting plenty of turn and bounce. He very nearly finds the edge of Dawid Malan's bat.

    He's making a mockery of the Rockets' star batters.

  19. Alex Hartley
    Former England bowler on BBC Radio

    I am not a fan of going for a second set in the powerplay. Often, it's a recipe for disaster. The beauty, though, is that he is bowling to the left-handed Malan.

  20. Rockets 18-1

    What a set from Stirling. His five balls go for three runs and delivers the key wicket of Alex Hales.

    In fact he's been asked to bowl another five. Why not?