The closing day of the 2026 edition of The Hundred promises a dramatic showdown at Lord's, where the Trent Rockets could potentially claim both the men's and women's titles, while Sam Billings eyes an unprecedented fourth consecutive triumph. Both the Rockets' men's and women's squads secured direct passage to the finals after dominating the group stage, each topping their respective tables and amassing a combined total of 13 wins out of 16 matches. This stellar performance has already earned the franchise the newly introduced Hundred Helix trophy, awarded to the club that excels across both gender competitions. However, the Rockets are now focused on clinching the individual championships, with the women's final slated for 2:15 pm and the men's final following at 6:00 pm, both broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix.
The women's final will see the Rockets take on the defending champions, SunRisers Leeds, who captured the title last year under the moniker Northern Superchargers. For the Rockets women, this is a historic moment: it is their maiden final appearance after five previous campaigns that ended in group‑stage exits or a loss in the eliminator. The stakes are high, and the atmosphere at the "Home of Cricket" is expected to be electric.
On the men's side, the Rockets are the 2022 champions, a title they won before Sam Billings began his personal love affair with the tournament. Billings later led the Oval Invincibles to three straight Hundred crowns, culminating in a defeat of the Rockets in the 2025 final. After that loss, the Invincibles rebranded as MI London and released Billings ahead of the auction, allowing Trent Rockets to acquire him.
The move has proved to be a masterstroke, as Billings now stands on the brink of a historic four‑peat. Rockets captain Sam Billings expressed his excitement, saying, "It’s an honour to be part of this stage again, especially at Lord’s.
As a kid I dreamed of playing here, and now that dream is a reality. We have a lot of experience in our squad, many of us have been in finals before, and the energy has been fantastic throughout the tournament." His words capture the blend of youthful wonder and seasoned confidence that defines the Rockets. Opposing Billings on Sunday will be Jos Buttler, who has taken over the captaincy of the Manchester Super Giants after South Africa’s Aiden Markram stepped away for personal reasons.
Buttler has been in blistering form, accumulating 311 runs in the competition, including four half‑centuries, and delivering a rapid 33 off 20 balls in the eliminator win over SunRisers. Billings praised his rivals, noting, "Jos is arguably the best white‑ball player England has ever produced and the leading run‑scorer in T20 cricket. Their side has great variety, but we’re confident after topping the league and beating them in Manchester." The mutual respect between the two captains adds an extra layer of intrigue to the final.
The women's final also features a compelling captaincy duel. SunRisers’ Dani Gibson, one of only three English women captains this season alongside London Spirit’s Charlie Dean and MI London’s Hollie Armitage, will lead her side against the Rockets’ Australian skipper Ash Gardner. Gibson, who was part of the England side that fell to an Australian team featuring Gardner in the Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s earlier in the year, knows her opponent well. Gardner, flanked by fellow 2026 World Cup winners Kim Garth and Beth Mooney, will rely on the experience of her Australian teammates to navigate the pressure of a final.
Both captains spoke about the significance of the venue. Gardner reflected, "Playing at Lord’s brings back great memories.
Having a few Australians in the squad helps because we understand what big occasions demand. Sunday is a new challenge, but we have plenty of positive memories to draw on and confidence in the things we’ve done well throughout the season." Gibson added, "Every team has star players, but preparation, adaptability, and communication are key. We’ll adjust to the conditions and enjoy the game." Beyond the on‑field narratives, the finals represent a broader story about the evolution of The Hundred. Introduced in 2021, the competition has quickly become a showcase for both established internationals and emerging talent, blending the excitement of a fast‑paced format with the tradition of English cricket.
The introduction of the Hundred Helix trophy underscores the league’s commitment to rewarding franchises that perform consistently across both men’s and women’s tournaments, encouraging clubs to invest equally in both squads. The finals will be accessible to a wide audience. Viewers in the UK can watch the matches live on Sky Sports Cricket and Sky Sports Mix, while fans abroad can stream the action contract‑free via the NOW platform.
The broadcast schedule places the women's final at 2:15 pm, followed by the men’s final at 6:00 pm, ensuring a full day of high‑octane cricket at the iconic Lord’s ground. In summary, Sunday’s showdown promises to be a landmark occasion for The Hundred.
The Rockets aim to cap off a dominant season by securing both titles, Sam Billings hopes to cement his legacy with a fourth straight triumph, and the women's finalists, SunRisers and Rockets, will battle for their first championship. Whether the day ends in a Rockets double or a surprise upset, the excitement, skill, and drama on display will highlight why The Hundred has become a beloved fixture on the cricket calendar.