From: Ed Mace
Lord’s, 16 August 2026:
Tim Seifert produced another majestic innings as he led the Manchester Super Giants to a five-wicket win over the Trent Rockets to win the Hundred for the first time.
Having progressed through the Eliminator on Friday, the Super Giants had the challenge of facing the group-topping Rockets who were eyeing up a historic double after the women’s side had won earlier in the afternoon.
The Rockets started well as the dangerous pair of Ben Duckett and Finn Allen remained unbeaten at the powerplay. They weren’t at their best but reached 33-0 despite some great fielding.
The introduction of Noor Ahmad was the first time the pendulum swung MSG’s direction. He took the wicket of Allen with his first ball after a mistimed slog.
Duckett fell three balls later for 31 off 24 after Ahmad extracted great turn through the gate, taking a flicker of inside edge on the way through to Jos Buttler.
Aneurin Donald brought attacking impetus immediately, taking 17 off six from Ahmad as he looked to kick-start the counter-attack.
A chaotic run-out brought the end of Billings with Liam Dawson completing the dismissal to leave the Rockets 86-3 after 55.
Noor Ahmad then took his third wicket, putting up a wide one that Tim David chased on his first ball. Spin continued to cause problems as Dawson bowled Donald who went for 38 off 19.
Lewis Gregory showed great intent when he came to the crease, taking down the final set of Ahmad who finished with 3-33. Two huge sixes off Gus Atkinson meant that with 10 balls left, the Rockets were 138-5.
Josh Tongue spoiled Gregory’s party as he forced a miscued heave that was caught at long-on. Runs from Santner and Craig Overton before two in two for Baker meant the Rockets finished on 158-8, above the Lord’s average of 141 this year.
Much rested on the opening pair of MSG who had scored 204 in the past two games. Tim Seifert continued his sparkling end to the tournament as he scored 19 in the first ten balls of the innings; MSG were well on-pace, 48-0 after 25.
Seifert was nearly dismissed after a stunning relay attempt, but Allen was ruled to have trodden on the boundary rope as he was taking off. Paul Walter however was dismissed moments later, Calvin Harrison taking the wicket with his first ball.
Santner’s introduction applied the brakes to Seifert and Buttler, but halfway through the innings they were 87-1 needing 72. Seifert swiftly reached his fifth half-century of the tournament from 23 deliveries.
Towering sixes off Harrison restored MSG’s momentum, but he responded with the wicket of Buttler. Seifert remained however and always kept them ahead of the run-rate.
Mohammad Amir on return from injury eventually dismissed Seifert for 72 with 33 needed from 22 and took two wickets in the final set but runs from Leus du Plooy who finished unbeaten on 27 from 18 and a big six from Liam Dawson helped MSG over the line with just two balls remaining.
Scores in brief:
Manchester Super Giants Men beat Trent Rockets Men by five wickets
Trent Rockets 158-8 (Aneurin Donald 38, Lewis Gregory 32; Noor Ahmad 3-33, Sonny Baker 2-34)
Manchester Super Giants 162-5 (Tim Seifert 72, Leus du Plooy 27; Mohammad Amir 3-29, Calvin Harrison 2-30)
Player of the match: Tim Seifert
