The Manchester Super Giants set up a meeting with Trent Rockets in The Hundred final after beating SunRisers Leeds by 20 runs in the men’s eliminator at The Kia Oval.
The Super Giants were given a brilliant platform after a swashbuckling 114-run partnership – including 13 sixes – between opener Paul Walter (80 off 46) and Heinrich Klaasen (63 off 26) propelled their side to an imposing total of 186-4 from their 100 balls.
The work of Harry Brook (49 off 31) and Ryan Rickelton (54no off 34) gave SunRisers hope, but the excellent bowling of Josh Tongue (4-26) against a fearsome top order brought Leeds’ 2026 Hundred campaign to a close and secured his side’s place in Sunday’s final at Lord’s, starting at 6pm live on Sky Sports Cricket.
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Harry Brook was harshly given out lbw after scoring 49
Tongue dismantles SunRisers’ top order to seal Super Giants’ win
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England seamer Brydon Carse strikes second ball for Sunrisers Leeds, claiming the big wicket of New Zealand star Tim Seifert
SunRisers got off to a flying start when Brydon Carse took the wicket of dangerman Tim Seifert – who smashed 80 off 40 balls against the same opposition three days ago – with the second ball of the contest.
Jos Buttler (33 off 20) steadied the ship, though, putting on a fifty stand with Walter in a useful cameo that got his side back on track, before the swashbuckling Klaasen and Walter combined for their incredible partnership to set their opponents 187 to win.
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Jos Buttler was dismissed by Matt Potts after smashing a six off the previous ball
SunRisers opener Mitch Marsh (10 off 6) made a quick start, smashing boundaries in successive balls off Gus Atkinson’s first five, but the explosive Tongue tempted him into an ill-advised top edge, and the dismissal of skipper Zak Crawley (6 off 3) followed when Tongue trapped him in front just four balls later.
The batting side regained momentum as Brook and Rickelton combined well in an 81-run stand, but Brook’s hopes of a quick fifty were dashed by a contentious Sonny Baker (2-39) lbw – replays showed the delivery was outside the line, but the SunRisers were out of reviews, leaving Brook helpless.
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Josh Tongue took two wickets in four balls for the Super Giants to check the SunRisers’ progress
Leeds were reeling after Dan Lawrence (2) and Matt Revis (4) were dismissed by brilliant catches by Leus du Plooy and Seifert respectively, and more outstanding bowling from Tongue and spinner Liam Dawson sealed what turned into a comfortable 20-run win to take the Super Giants one step closer to The Hundred title.
Buttler: Players stood up in crucial moments
Paul Walter smashed 80 off 46 balls for the Super Giants
Manchester Super Giants captain Jos Buttler, speaking to Sky Sports Cricket:
“I’m really happy. So many players stood up in some crucial moments.
“Tim Seifert has been in unbelievable form, so to lose him so early was disappointing, but Paul Walter has been incredible – so for him to be the backbone of the innings and score so well, showed what he could 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.”
When is The Hundred final?
Manchester Super Giants will face Trent Rockets in the men’s final at Lord’s on Sunday August 16.
The women’s final is at 2.15pm, with the men’s final at 6pm, live on Sky Sports Cricket.
Watch the women’s and men’s finals in The Hundred live on Sky Sports. Watch The Hundred and more contract-free on NOW
