The closing day of the 2026 edition of The Hundred promises a dramatic showdown at Lord's, with the Trent Rockets hoping to claim both the men's and women's titles and Sam Billings eyeing an unprecedented four‑in‑a‑row personal triumph. The Rockets have already secured a place in both finals after dominating the group stage, finishing top of their respective tables and winning a combined 13 out of 16 matches. Their stellar performance has also earned them the newly introduced Hundred Helix trophy, awarded to the franchise that excels across both the men's and women's competitions. Now the focus shifts to the ultimate prize in each gender category, with the finals broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.
The women's final kicks off at 2:15 pm, pitting the Rockets against the defending champions SunRisers Leeds, who captured the title last year under the banner of the Northern Superchargers. The men's final follows at 6 pm, featuring the Rockets against the Manchester Super Giants.
For the Rockets women, this is a historic moment. They have never lifted The Hundred trophy before; their journey to the final marks the first time they have progressed beyond the group stage, having suffered four early‑stage exits and a loss in the eliminator in the tournament's first five seasons. The men, by contrast, are seasoned champions, having won the inaugural competition in 2022.
Their captain, Sam Billings, has become synonymous with The Hundred, guiding the Oval Invincibles to three consecutive titles before a narrow defeat to the Rockets in the 2025 final. Billings' move to the Rockets was a headline‑grabbing acquisition.
The Oval Invincibles, rebranded as MI London, released him ahead of the auction, allowing the Rockets to secure a player who has already etched his name in the tournament's history. Billings now stands on the brink of a fourth consecutive personal title, a feat that would cement his legacy as the most successful player in Hundred history.
Speaking before the final, Billings expressed his excitement: "It is impressive. It's something I'm very proud of and to have the opportunity to win another one, albeit with a different team, is very pleasing. You want to be in this stage of the tournament every year so it's not lost on me. The opportunity we have, I never take it for granted, playing here at the Home of Cricket.
As a young kid growing up, you dream of occasions like this and playing at Lord's. As you get older, you start to appreciate these things a little more, I suppose.
I think we might be one of the oldest teams in the competition. We have a lot of guys who have played in finals before, been successful in finals. We have had brilliant energy throughout this competition." On the opposing side, the Super Giants will be led by Jos Buttler, who stepped into the captaincy after South Africa's Aiden Markram withdrew for personal reasons. Buttler has been in scintillating form, amassing 311 runs in the tournament, including four half‑centuries, and delivering a blistering 33 off 20 balls in the eliminator win over SunRisers.
Billings praised his weekend rivals: "They're a very good team. Jos [Buttler] is arguably the best white‑ball player ever to represent England and the leading record run‑scorer ever in T20 cricket.
They've got a lot of variety in their side as well. But I think it's all about us, to be honest.
We topped the group. We beat them in Manchester, which definitely gives us confidence. We will absolutely respect them.
But, as a team, winning the league stage gives us a lot of confidence. We've been the best team from a record point of view." The women's final will also feature a battle of captains.
SunRisers' Dani Gibson, one of only three English women to lead a side this season alongside London Spirit's Charlie Dean and MI London's Hollie Armitage, will face Rockets' Australian skipper Ash Gardner. Gibson, who was part of the England squad that fell to an Australian team featuring Gardner in the Women's T20 World Cup final at Lord's earlier in July, will be eager to turn the tables. Gardner, flanked by fellow 2026 World Cup winners Kim Garth and Beth Mooney, brings a wealth of big‑match experience to the Rockets. She noted, "There are definitely some fantastic memories here at Lord's.
It's nice coming back to the same dressing room and hopefully that brings some good energy. Having a few Australians in the side helps because we know what big occasions require. Sunday is a new game and a different challenge but there are plenty of positive memories to draw on and confidence in the things we've done well throughout the season." Gibson, meanwhile, highlighted the importance of preparation and adaptability: "They've got some great names but I think every team has great names.
It's just making sure that we prep well and play the conditions that we're going to get here. Adapt quickly, communicate well and enjoy playing." Both finals promise high‑stakes cricket, with the possibility of seeing either Billings or Buttler lift the men's trophy and perhaps one of the women's captains doing the same on the other side of the ground. The matches will be streamed live from 2 pm on Sunday via Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix, with an option to watch contract‑free through the NOW platform. Fans can expect a showcase of skill, strategy, and the unique atmosphere that only Lord's – the Home of Cricket – can provide, as the season's narrative reaches its climax and the final chapters of The Hundred are written.