Manchester Super Giants get third-time lucky to secure maiden Men's Hundred title

Manchester Super Giants clinched their maiden Men’s Hundred title, beating Trent Rockets by five wickets in the final on Sunday, August 16, at Lord’s, London. After being put in to bat first by Super Giants’ captain Jos Buttler, Trent Rockets posted a good score of 158/8 in their allotted 100 balls.

Aneurin Donald (38 off 19), Lewis Gregory (32 off 16) and Ben Duckett (31 off 24) were the top scorers for Rockets, while Noor Ahmad (3/33, 20 balls) and Sonny Baker (2/34, 20 balls) were the top two wicket-takers for Super Giants.

In reply, Manchester thrillingly chased down the target with two balls to spare, riding on a splendid innings from Tim Seifert (72 off 38). Along with him, there were solid contributions from Paul Walter (22 off 14), Jos Buttler (23 off 14) and Leus de Plooy (27* off 18).

Things got interesting in the run chase as Super Giants required seven runs off the last ten balls. However, Mohammad Amir (3/29, 20 balls) got a double strike in the penultimate set, dismissing the dangerous Heinrich Klaasen (11 off 9) and Michael Bracewell (0 off 2).

Two more dot balls from Ben Sanderson brought the equation down to three needed off three balls as tensions spread in both dugouts. However, Liam Dawson (6* off 3) held his nerve to launch Sanderson for a maximum on the 98^th delivery to take his team home.

Tim Seifert named Player of the Match and MVP

As a result, Manchester finally had their hands on the elusive Men’s Hundred trophy after falling short twice in the final. Tim Siefert was deservedly adjudged Player of the Match in Manchester’s maiden triumph for his breathtaking knock (72 off 38), studded with four fours and seven sixes. 

He was also named MVP of the tournament for finishing second on the top run scorers’ list with 394 runs from ten innings at an average of 49.25 and a strike rate of 168.37 with five fifties to his name.