In a pulsating climax at Lord's, the Manchester Super Giants secured the men’s Hundred championship by edging out the Trent Rockets in a nail‑biting finish that was decided on the last three balls of the match. The triumph was anchored by an explosive innings from Tim Seifert, who smashed an unbeaten 72 runs off just 38 deliveries, guiding his side to a five‑wicket win and delivering the most rapid half‑century ever recorded in a men’s Hundred final. Seifert’s blitzkrieg at the top of the order set the tone early on.
Partnering him was Paul Walter, who contributed a quick‑fire 22 from 14 balls, while captain Jos Buttler added 23 off an equally brisk 14-ball spell. Their aggressive starts helped the Giants chase down the Rockets’ imposing total of 158, which had been built on solid contributions from the opposition’s middle order, including a 27‑run cameo from Leus Du Plooy, who remained not out off 18 balls. The Rockets, having posted a respectable score, saw a glimmer of hope when fast bowler Mohammed Amir produced two late wickets, reducing the deficit to three runs required from the final five deliveries. The pressure then fell on England all‑rounder Liam Dawson, who, despite the tension, struck a towering six with three balls remaining, sealing the victory for the Super Giants and handing them their first Hundred title.
This landmark win followed the Giants’ earlier success in the eliminator, where they overcame SunRisers Leeds. That earlier victory prevented the Rockets from achieving the rare double of winning both the men’s and women’s Hundred titles, a feat that seemed within reach after the Trent Rockets women had comfortably dispatched 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 a low‑scoring Lord’s pitch that has averaged just 141 runs per first innings throughout the 2026 season.
After a modest 33 runs from the powerplay, the Rockets appeared to settle, but a decisive spell from Super Giants spinner Noor Ahmad (3 for 33) turned the tide. Ahmad dismissed both openers in four consecutive deliveries, collapsing the Rockets from 48 for no loss to 52 for two.
Anuerin Donald then tried to revive the innings with a brilliant 38 off 19 balls, but a subsequent burst of three wickets in 11 balls—including a comical run‑out that saw captain Sam Billings dismissed—left the Rockets reeling at 95 for 5. Lower‑order contributions from Lewis Gregory (32 off 16) and Mitch Santner (20 not out off 16) pushed the total to a defendable 158 after the allotted 100 balls. When the chase began, the Super Giants opened with Seifert and Walter, the latter having impressed in the eliminator with a rapid 80 off 46 balls.
The opening pair raced to a 66‑run partnership, reaching fifty in just 26 balls. A dramatic moment occurred when a spectacular one‑handed diving catch by Finn Allen was overturned by the third umpire after Allen’s foot brushed the boundary rope, sparing Seifert a dismissal. However, Walter’s stay was short‑lived; he was caught on the boundary by Duckett three balls later, ending the opening stand.
Undeterred, Seifert continued his on‑fire performance, reaching a fifty in a mere 24 balls and blending seamlessly with Buttler and Du Plooy. His innings was eventually halted by a double‑wicket burst from Amir, who removed Heinrich Klaasen (11 off 9) and Michael Bracewell (0 off 2) in successive deliveries, setting up a tense finale where the Giants required three runs from the final five balls bowled by Ben Sanderson. The first two deliveries of the last over were dot balls, heightening the drama and placing the responsibility on tail‑ender Dawson. With the crowd on edge, Dawson struck a maximum‑value six on the third ball, clinching the title for Manchester and capping off an unforgettable 2026 Hundred season.
Captain Jos Buttler, speaking to Sky Sports after the win, reflected on the emotions and the collective effort: "A mixture of emotions – the excitement and euphoria of winning it, a little bit of relief after those last few balls – but 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 bunch of guys with a varied bowling attack was rewarding. Breaking those 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 victory not only adds a prestigious trophy to the Super Giants' cabinet but also underscores the growing competitiveness of the Hundred format, where matches can swing dramatically in the final over. Fans can look forward to more high‑octane cricket as the tournament continues to evolve, with teams refining strategies and players stepping up in pressure situations.
For viewers, the match was available to stream on NOW and Sky Sports, with a recommendation to use the Chrome browser for optimal video playback. The Hundred also offers a suite of other content, including highlights, key moments, and live coverage of upcoming fixtures such as the three‑Test series between England and Pakistan, which begins on Wednesday at Headingley.