Tim Seifert unleashed a dominant innings of 72 runs from just 38 deliveries, guiding the Manchester Super Giants to claim the 2026 Hundred championship after a nail‑biting five‑wicket win over the Trent Rockets at Lord's. The match boiled down to the final three balls, delivering a climax that will be remembered for years. Seifert’s knock was historic, marking the quickest half‑century ever recorded in a men’s Hundred final. He was ably supported by a rapid 22 off 14 from opening partner Paul Walter, a blistering 23 off 14 by captain Jos Buttler, and a vital 27‑run cameo from Leus du Plooy, who remained not out after facing 18 balls.
Together, they chased down the Rockets’ imposing total of 158. The Rockets, however, fought back late in the innings. Mohammed Amir produced a late spell of two wickets for 29 runs, giving his side a glimmer of hope.
With three runs required from the last five deliveries, the pressure fell on the lower‑order spinner Liam Dawson. Dawson rose to the occasion, lofting a six with three balls remaining to seal the victory for the Super Giants.
This triumph represents the Super Giants’ first ever Hundred title. They earned their place in the final by defeating SunRisers Leeds in the eliminator on Friday, a win that also denied the Rockets the chance to become the first club to hold both the men’s and women’s Hundred trophies after the women’s side had already beaten SunRisers Leeds earlier in the weekend.
The Rockets’ innings began with openers Duckett (31 off 24) and Allen (15 off 13) trying to negotiate a low‑scoring Lord’s pitch – a venue that has produced an average first‑innings total of just 141 in the 2026 edition. Their start was modest, yielding only 33 runs from the powerplay.
The situation deteriorated quickly when Super Giants spinner Noor Ahmad removed both openers in four successive balls, turning the score from 48‑0 to 52‑2. Trent Rockets recovered briefly thanks to a spectacular 38‑run burst from Anuerin Donald off 19 balls.
Yet a devastating spell of three wickets in just 11 deliveries, which even included a comical run‑out that saw captain Sam Billings dismissed, left them reeling at 95‑5. Lower‑order contributions from Lewis Gregory (32 off 16) and Mitch Santner (20 not out off 16) helped the Rockets post a defendable 158 after completing their 100‑ball allotment.
In the chase, Super Giants openers Seifert and Walter (who had smashed 80 off 46 balls in the eliminator) provided a solid platform, reaching a fifty partnership in a mere 26 balls. Walter’s innings was cut short when a catch at the boundary, taken by Duckett, dismissed him just three deliveries after a controversial near‑boundary catch by Finn Allen was overturned by the third umpire. Undeterred, Seifert accelerated, reaching his fifty in just 24 balls. He combined fluently with both Buttler and du Plooy before being dismissed.
The Rockets struck back with quick wickets – Heinrich Klaasen (11 off 9) and Michael Bracewell (0 off 2) fell in consecutive balls to Amir, setting up a tense finish where the Super Giants needed three runs off Ben Sanderson’s final five balls. The first two deliveries of the last over were dot balls, heightening the drama.
Tail‑ender Liam Dawson, an England international, held his nerve and struck a six on the third ball, clinching the title for Manchester and capping off a thrilling 2026 Hundred campaign. Captain Jos Buttler reflected on the win in a Sky Sports interview: "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 little bit more stressful, but leading a great bunch of guys with a varied bowling attack is rewarding. Breaking key partnerships was crucial and that went a long way to winning the game. We've had brilliant performances from everyone.
The top order has been outstanding, and the wicket‑taking ability has been superb. Off the field, we’re very well‑marshalled by a great coaching team – Tom Moody, Justin Langer and the rest have been brilliant – I'm proud of everyone involved." The match also highlighted the importance of strategic bowling changes and field placements on a pitch that historically favours bowlers.
Noor Ahmad’s early breakthroughs and Amir’s late spell underscored how a disciplined attack can shift momentum. Meanwhile, the Super Giants’ batting depth, with contributions from the middle order and the lower‑order heroics of Dawson, demonstrated the value of flexibility in a 100‑ball format. For fans wanting to relive the action, the full video highlights are best viewed using a Chrome browser for optimal accessibility. The Hundred continues to draw large audiences, with streaming options available on NOW and live broadcasts on Sky Sports.
Upcoming cricket fixtures include the three‑Test series between England and Pakistan, kicking off Wednesday with the first ball at Headingley at 11 am. The Hundred’s blend of fast‑paced entertainment and high‑stakes drama ensures it remains a marquee event in the English summer calendar.