Tim Seifert delivered a commanding 72 runs off just 38 deliveries, guiding the Manchester Super Giants to claim the coveted Hundred title after a thrilling five‑wicket win over the Trent Rockets in a dramatic final at Lord's that was decided in the last three balls of the match. Seifert’s explosive innings featured the fastest half‑century ever recorded in a men’s Hundred final, and his performance was bolstered by quick contributions from opening partner Paul Walter (22 off 14), captain Jos Buttler (23 off 14), and a vital cameo from Leus du Plooy (27 not out off 18) as the Giants chased down the Rockets' imposing total of 158.
The Rockets briefly revived their hopes when Mohammed Amir produced a late spell of two wickets (3‑29), leaving the Giants needing three runs from the final five deliveries. However, England spinner Liam Dawson held his nerve, striking a six with three balls remaining to seal the victory and hand Manchester their first Hundred trophy.
This triumph follows the Super Giants' earlier success in the eliminator, where they overcame SunRisers Leeds on Friday. The win also prevented the Rockets from becoming the first franchise to capture both the men’s and women’s Hundred titles, after the Trent Rockets women had demolished SunRisers Leeds women earlier in the weekend. The Rockets’ innings began with openers Duckett (31 off 24) and Allen (15 off 13), both of whom struggled on the low‑scoring Lord's surface – a venue that has produced an average first‑innings total of just 141 in the 2026 season.
After a modest 33 runs from the powerplay, the Rockets appeared to settle, but a decisive burst from Super Giants spinner Noor Ahmad (3‑33) saw him dismiss both openers in four consecutive balls, reducing them from 48‑0 to 52‑2. Trent Rockets recovered through a brilliant knock by Anuerin Donald (38 off 19), but a rapid collapse followed as they lost three wickets in 11 balls, including a comical run‑out that saw captain Sam Billings dismissed. At 95‑5, the side seemed in trouble, yet useful lower‑order contributions from Lewis Gregory (32 off 16) and Mitch Santner (20 not out off 16) helped push the total to a defendable 158 after the full 100 balls. In the chase, Super Giants openers Seifert and Walter (who had smashed 80 off 46 balls in the eliminator) provided a blazing start, reaching a fifty partnership in just 26 deliveries.
Walter was dismissed shortly after a spectacular one‑handed diving catch by Finn Allen was overturned by the third umpire – his foot had brushed the boundary rope – and then Walter himself fell to Duckett at the rope, ending a 66‑run opening stand. Undeterred, Seifert accelerated, reaching his own fifty in a mere 24 balls.
He combined effectively with both Buttler and du Plooy before being bowled, while successive wickets of Heinrich Klaasen (11 off 9) and Michael Bracewell (0 off 2) fell to Amir, setting up a nail‑biting finish. With three runs required from Ben Sanderson’s final five balls, the tension rose as the first two deliveries were dot balls.
Tail‑ender Dawson then rose to the occasion, smashing a maximum‑six on the third ball to clinch the championship and cap off the 2026 Hundred season. Captain Jos Buttler reflected on the victory in a Sky Sports interview: "A mix of emotions – the excitement and euphoria of winning, a little relief after those last few balls – but a fantastic effort from everyone to lift the trophy. I think we deserve it.
I enjoyed captaining; it’s a bit more stressful, but leading a great group of players with a varied bowling attack was rewarding. Breaking key partnerships was crucial and went a long way to winning the game. We’ve had brilliant performances across the board.
The top order has been outstanding since Aiden Markram left, and the wicket‑taking ability has been superb. Off the field we’re well‑marshalled by a fantastic coaching team – Tom Moody, Justin Langer and everyone have been brilliant – I’m proud of everyone involved." The final also highlighted the evolving nature of the Hundred format, with teams increasingly relying on explosive power‑hitting and versatile bowlers who can deliver under pressure. The Lord's pitch, known for its low bounce and limited run‑scoring, forced both sides to adapt quickly, rewarding aggressive intent and precise execution. Looking ahead, the Super Giants will aim to build on this success in future editions of the competition, while the Rockets will regroup after a valiant effort that fell just short.
Fans can also look forward to the upcoming three‑Test series between England and Pakistan, set to begin on Wednesday with the first ball at Headingley at 11 am, available live on Sky Sports Cricket. For those wanting continuous sports coverage, NOW offers contract‑free streaming of cricket and other top‑tier events.