The Manchester Super Giants (previously Manchester Originals) won their first Men’s Hundred title with an exciting five-wicket victory at the iconic Lord’s, denying top-placed Trent Rockets a historic double. Third time was the charm for the Super Giants who eventually won the championship after losing to the Rockets in 2022 and the Oval Invincibles in 2023. Tim Seifert’s incredible match-winning innings of 72 in 38 balls was the driving force behind the MSG’s maiden title glory.
Finn Allen and Ben Duckett established a solid 48-run opening stand against the pace trio of Gus Atkinson, Josh Tongue, and Sonny Baker after MSG put the Rockets to bat first. Noor Ahmad, the Afghan wrist-spinner, was subsequently brought by Jos Buttler, and he opened the game by dismissing both openers in four balls. Aneurin Donald launched an instant counterattack, hitting 17 off Ahmad’s first six balls before being dismissed for 38 off 19 balls.
The Rockets were on the defense after a quick collapse to 97-5, but Lewis Gregory and Mitchell Santner pulled off a vital late-overs comeback. With a blazing 61-run haul off the last 30 balls, Gregory drove Trent to 158-8 after hitting Liam Dawson and Atkinson for consecutive maximums. The total was significantly higher than the venue par of 141.
Seifert took 14 off Mohammad Amir’s first five balls, and MSG was off to a flying start. Seifert struck a 61-run partnership with Paul Walter in just 31 deliveries. With the second-best run total of 394, he claimed the title of Tournament MVP after reaching his half-century off just 23 balls and ended with 72 off 38, including seven maximums.
Leus du Plooy struck four boundaries in his undefeated 27 from 18 deliveries, while captain Buttler hammered three sixes in his 14-ball 23 while the New Zealander held one end. When MSG needed 23 from 22 balls, Seifert fell, and a few late wickets kept the match going till the last over. Michael Bracewell left second ball for a duck, and Heinrich Klaasen was caught spectacularly by Donald. Liam Dawson maintained composure as the game descended into the final five, hitting Ben Sanderson over midwicket for a six with two balls remaining to secure the trophy.
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