In a nail‑biting climax at Lord's, the Manchester Super Giants secured the 2026 men’s Hundred championship, edging out the Trent Rockets by five wickets in a match that was decided on the very last three deliveries. The hero of the day was Tim Seifert, who unleashed a blistering 72 runs off just 38 balls, steering his side to victory and etching his name into the tournament’s history books. Seifert’s knock not only powered the chase but also set a new benchmark as the fastest half‑century ever recorded in a men’s Hundred final. The innings began with Seifert and opening partner Paul Walter providing a rapid start.
Walter contributed a quick‑fire 22 from 14 balls, while Seifert raced to a fifty in just 24 deliveries, a feat that left the crowd roaring. Their partnership, built on aggressive stroke‑play and clever running between the wickets, yielded 66 runs before Walter was dismissed on the 66th ball, caught at the boundary by Trent Rocket’s Duckett after a brief moment of celebration was cut short by a third‑umpire review. Captain Jos Buttler, who added 23 runs off another 14 balls, supported Seifert with a series of powerful pulls and lofted shots, keeping the required run rate well within reach.
The middle order was bolstered by Leus Du Plooy, whose 27 not‑out off 18 balls proved crucial as the chase entered its final phase. Together, the trio turned a daunting target of 159 into a realistic pursuit, with the Giants needing just three runs from the final five balls after a late spell from Trent’s pacer Mohammed Amir (3‑29).
Amir’s two wickets in the death overs had given the Rockets a glimmer of hope, but the pressure soon shifted back to the Giants when spinner Liam Dawson, the last man in, faced the final three deliveries. After two dot balls raised the tension, Dawson unleashed a towering six, sealing the win and clinching the title for Manchester. His calm under pressure highlighted the depth of the Giants’ batting line‑up and the versatility of their bowlers throughout the tournament.
The path to the final was equally dramatic. Earlier in the week, the Giants had earned their first-ever Hundred title by defeating SunRisers Leeds in the eliminator, a victory that set the tone for their confident display at Lord's. Meanwhile, the Rockets were hoping to become the first side to claim both the men’s and women’s Hundred crowns after the women’s team had demolished SunRisers Leeds earlier in the weekend. Unfortunately for them, their hopes were dashed by a combination of disciplined bowling and timely wickets.
Trent Rockets’ opening pair, Duckett (31 off 24) and Allen (15 off 13), struggled on a low‑scoring Lord’s surface that has averaged just 141 runs per innings this season. After a modest 33 runs from the powerplay, the Rockets appeared to settle, but a decisive spell from Super Giants spinner Noor Ahmad (3‑33) turned the tide.
Ahmad removed both openers in four consecutive deliveries, reducing the Rockets to 52 for 2 and exposing the middle order to relentless pressure. Anuerin Donald attempted to revive the innings with a brisk 38 off 19 balls, but a subsequent burst of wickets – three 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) helped the side post a defendable total of 158 after their full quota of 100 balls. The chase began with Seifert and Walter’s explosive partnership, which reached the fifty‑run mark in a record 26 balls.
Seifert’s innings was momentarily threatened when a spectacular one‑handed diving catch by Finn Allen was overturned after the third umpire determined Allen’s foot had brushed the boundary rope. Undeterred, Seifert continued his assault, combining effectively with both Buttler and Du Plooy before his eventual dismissal. The loss of Heinrich Klaasen (11 off 9) and Michael Bracewell (0 off 2) in quick succession to Amir set up a tense finish, with the Giants needing three runs from Ben Sanderson’s final five deliveries.
After two consecutive dot balls, the on‑field tension was palpable. Dawson, known more for his economical spell than his power hitting, rose to the occasion, smashing a six that sent the Lord’s crowd into a frenzy and secured the championship for Manchester.
Post‑match, captain Jos Buttler expressed a mixture of emotions in his interview with Sky Sports: "It’s a blend of excitement, euphoria and a little relief after those final balls. Everyone gave a fantastic effort to lift the trophy – we truly deserved it.
Captaining this group is a privilege, even if it’s a bit stressful at times. The varied bowling attack gave us the edge, and breaking key partnerships was crucial. The performances from the top order have been outstanding, and the wicket‑taking ability throughout the side made the difference. We’re also very proud of the coaching staff – Tom Moody, Justin Langer and the whole team have been brilliant.
I’m proud of everyone involved." The victory not only marks the Giants’ inaugural Hundred title but also underscores the competitive spirit of the tournament, where matches can swing dramatically in the final over. The 2026 edition has been notable for low‑scoring pitches at Lord’s, a high‑intensity knockout phase, and several record‑breaking performances, including Seifert’s fastest fifty in a final.
Fans can look forward to more cricket action as Sky Sports will broadcast the upcoming three‑Test series between England and Pakistan, beginning Wednesday with the first ball at Headingley at 11 am. For those who prefer streaming, NOW offers contract‑free access to cricket and other top sports, ensuring that the excitement of the Hundred and future contests remains just a click away.