Manchester Super Giants secure Hundred title over Trent Rockets at Lord’s
The Manchester Super Giants have claimed their inaugural Hundred title, overcoming the Trent Rockets by five wickets in a thrilling final at Lord’s. The victory was sealed with two balls to spare, largely thanks to a powerful innings from Tim Seifert.
Seifert, representing New Zealand, delivered a remarkable performance, scoring 72 runs off 38 balls. His innings included seven sixes and four fours, setting the foundation for the Super Giants’ chase. This knock also saw him equal the highest score in a Hundred final, placing him as the tournament’s second-highest run-scorer with 394 runs at an average just under 50.
Super Giants’ chase and late drama
The Super Giants were tasked with chasing the Rockets’ total of 158-8. Seifert and opening partner Paul Walter established a crucial 66-run stand off 31 balls for the first wicket. Walter, who had scored 80 off 46 balls in the eliminator, contributed 22 runs off 14 balls before his dismissal. Captain Jos Buttler also provided a brief but impactful cameo, scoring 23 runs off 14 balls, including three sixes, entertaining the crowd of 27,416.
Despite a strong start, the Super Giants experienced a late wobble. With three runs needed off the final nine balls, Mohammad Amir dismissed Heinrich Klaasen and Michael Bracewell in quick succession. Ben Sanderson then bowled two dot balls, intensifying the pressure and leaving the Super Giants needing three runs off three balls.
However, Liam Dawson maintained his composure, hitting a decisive six over mid-wicket to secure the win. This dramatic finish capped off the 2026 Hundred tournament.
Rockets’ innings and missed opportunity
The Trent Rockets, who had finished at the top of the table and advanced directly to the final, posted a total of 158-8. Ben Duckett’s 31 provided a solid start for the Rockets. However, their innings saw a shift when captain Sam Billings was run out for seven and Tim David fell on his first ball to Noor Ahmad, allowing the Super Giants to gain control.
Aneurin Donald was a significant contributor for the Rockets, blitzing 38 runs off 19 balls. Quickfire cameos from Mitch Santner (20 runs) and Lewis Gregory (32 runs) helped the Rockets reach a defendable score. Despite their efforts, the total proved to be below par against the Super Giants’ batting lineup.
The Rockets had a chance to dismiss Seifert when he was on 33, but Finn Allen’s relay effort on the boundary was disallowed because his foot touched the boundary rope. This moment, which could have been a contender for catch of the tournament, allowed Seifert to continue his impactful innings.
Significance of the victory
This victory marks the Manchester Super Giants’ first Hundred title. The Old Trafford-based side, previously known as the Originals, had lost two previous men’s finals, including one against the Rockets in 2022. This win prevents the Rockets from becoming the first franchise to win both the men’s and women’s competitions in the same edition of The Hundred, as the Trent Rockets women had already defeated the SunRisers Leeds women earlier on the same day.
Super Giants captain Jos Buttler expressed a mix of emotions after the win, describing it as “excitement and euphoria” alongside “a little bit of relief.” He praised the team’s effort and believed they deserved the trophy, highlighting the varied bowling attack and crucial partnerships broken during the game. Buttler also acknowledged the contributions of the coaching team, including Tom Moody and Justin Langer.
The Super Giants’ journey to the final included beating SunRisers Leeds in the eliminator on Friday. The team’s strong performances, particularly from Seifert and Walter at the top of the order, were instrumental in their success.
Source: bbc.com
