The Manchester Super Giants secured their place in the championship showdown against the Trent Rockets after a commanding 20‑run victory over SunRisers Leeds in the men’s eliminator at The Kia Oval. The match was highlighted by a spectacular 114‑run partnership between openers Paul Walter and Heinrich Klaasen, a stand that featured an astonishing thirteen sixes and propelled the Giants to a formidable total of 186 for 4 in their allotted 100 balls. Walter’s explosive knock of 80 runs off just 46 deliveries set the tone early, while Klaasen, arriving at the crease with the innings in a strong position, added a blistering 63 runs from a mere 26 balls.
Their aggressive approach forced SunRisers to chase a steep target of 187, a score that would prove too much for the Leeds side. SunRisers attempted to revive their campaign with a solid contribution from Harry Brook, who struck 49 runs off 31 balls, and Ryan Rickelton, who remained unbeaten on 54 off 34 deliveries.
However, the Giants’ bowlers, led by the incisive spell of Josh Tongue, who claimed four wickets for just 26 runs, dismantled the opposition’s top order and sealed a 20‑run win. The victory booked Manchester’s ticket to the final at Lord’s, scheduled for Sunday at 6 p.m., with live coverage on Sky Sports Cricket.
The match began with SunRisers enjoying an early breakthrough when Brydon Carse dismissed the in‑form Tim Seifert on the second ball of the innings. Seifert, who had smashed 80 runs off 40 balls against the same opponents three days earlier, was a key loss for Leeds. Nevertheless, captain Jos Buttler steadied his side with a quick 33 off 20 balls, forming a valuable fifty‑run partnership with Walter that helped reset the innings before the explosive Walter‑Klaasen stand took over. Leeds’ opening batsman Mitch Marsh gave his team a bright start, hitting boundaries off the first five deliveries from Gus Atkinson.
His momentum was halted when Tongue induced a mistimed top‑edge, leading to Marsh’s dismissal. Shortly after, skipper Zak Crawley fell for six runs, trapped in front by Tongue’s disciplined bowling.
These early wickets put Leeds under pressure, but the middle order responded. Brook and Rickelton then forged an 81‑run partnership that looked to bring Leeds back into contention. Brook’s ambition of reaching a quick fifty was thwarted when he was given out lbw to Sonny Baker, a decision that sparked controversy as replays suggested the ball was outside the line of off‑stump.
With no reviews remaining, Brook could not challenge the call, and the dismissal further dented Leeds’ chase. Manchester’s fielding also played a decisive role. Dan Lawrence and Matt Revis were both caught out by spectacular efforts from Leus du Plooy and Tim Seifert, respectively. The combination of sharp catching and disciplined bowling from Tongue and spinner Liam Dawson ensured that the Giants maintained control throughout the latter stages of the game.
After the match, captain Jos Buttler spoke to Sky Sports Cricket, expressing his satisfaction with the team’s performance: "I’m really happy. So many players stepped up at crucial moments. Tim Seifert has been in unbelievable form, so losing him early was disappointing, but Paul Walter has been incredible – he was the backbone of the innings and showed what he can do. All round with the ball we were great, finding ways to take wickets.
Our Achilles heel at the start of the tournament was probably our catching, but we took some great catches. Trent Rockets are a top side. They’ve got into the final because they’ve been the form side throughout the tournament.
We’re in a good rhythm, but they’ve been able to rest up and prepare well. We’ll find out who wins Sunday night." The upcoming final at Lord’s will pit the Manchester Super Giants against the Trent Rockets, a side that has displayed consistent form throughout the competition.
The women’s final is scheduled for 2:15 p.m., followed by the men’s final at 6 p.m., both broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket. Fans can also stream the action on NOW, where the tournament is available contract‑free. Key takeaways from the eliminator include the importance of aggressive top‑order partnerships, the impact of disciplined death‑over bowling, and the value of fielding excellence in high‑pressure knockout games.
Manchester’s ability to recover from early setbacks, capitalize on big‑hit opportunities, and execute their game plan under pressure will be crucial as they prepare for the final showdown with the Rockets. The stage is set for a thrilling conclusion to The Hundred season, with both teams eager to claim the coveted title.