Tim Seifert struck seven sixes in a 38-ball 72 to guide Manchester Super Giants to their first Hundred title at Lord’s on Sunday. The Super Giants chased down 159 against Trent Rockets with two balls to spare, sealing a five-wicket win in front of a packed crowd.
Manchester Super Giants finished on 162 for 5 in 98 balls after Trent Rockets posted 158 for 8. Seifert was named Player of the Match for his innings, while his tournament tally of 394 runs earned him the Player of the Series award as well.
Seifert and Paul Walter Set Up the Chase
Seifert raced out of the blocks from the first ball, driving through cover for four before smearing a six over the leg side. He exchanged words with Mohammad Amir after taking his opening over for 14 runs, a sign of the intent he carried through his innings. Paul Walter supported him with a quickfire 22 off 14 balls, and their opening stand added 66 runs off 31 balls to give the chase early momentum.
Seifert survived a close call on 33 when a piece of fielding by Calvin Harrison initially looked to have dismissed him, but the third umpire ruled it a six after replays showed Finn Allen had brushed the boundary rope. He continued to target the leg side, trading big shots with captain Jos Buttler, and found further support from Leus du Plooy once Buttler fell to Calvin Harrison at long-off. Seifert eventually departed for 72, reaching for a wide yorker from Amir, having posted the joint-highest individual score in a Hundred final.
Late Wobble Before Liam Dawson Finishes It Off
With the target down to single figures, Manchester Super Giants made unexpected hard work of the finish. Amir dismissed Heinrich Klaasen at deep midwicket and trapped Michael Bracewell lbw soon after, tightening the contest. Liam Dawson swung and missed twice against Ben Sanderson before clearing Aneurin Donald at the boundary rope to complete the win with two balls unused, closing out a tense finale for the Super Giants.
Noor Ahmad Derails Rockets’ Innings
Trent Rockets had opened steadily, reaching 33 without loss inside the powerplay, and were fortunate when Ben Duckett survived a dropped chance off Liam Dawson. Left-arm wristspinner Noor Ahmad then turned the innings on its head, removing both openers within four balls to finish with figures of 3 for 33. Aneurin Donald counterattacked with 38 off 19 balls before miscuing a charge at Dawson, and the Rockets slipped to 5 wickets down in a rapid middle-innings collapse.
Lewis Gregory revived the innings late, striking 32 off 16 balls with three sixes to push the total past 150, while Craig Overton and Mitchell Santner added useful runs at the death. Sonny Baker claimed two wickets in the final over, but the total of 158 proved short as Manchester Super Giants completed the chase to claim their maiden Hundred crown.
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