Mandhana leads Super Giants women to victory
Manchester Super Giants women’s team secured a four-wicket victory over Sunrisers Leeds at Headingley, maintaining their unbeaten start to The Hundred. India opener Smriti Mandhana was instrumental, scoring an unbeaten 88 runs off 50 balls. This performance marked her sixth half-century in the tournament’s history and her highest score to date, featuring seven fours and four sixes.
Mandhana’s composure was key as she guided the Super Giants to chase down a target of 143 runs. Despite wickets falling around her, with captain Meg Lanning (24 runs) being the only other player to reach double figures, Mandhana consistently kept her team in contention with the required run rate. She described her approach as “just committing to the shot” and “not playing anything half-heartedly,” noting that such victories place the team “in a good place.”
The decisive moments came when Mandhana needed 16 runs off the last 10 balls. She hit Jess Jonassen for a six, which Darcey Carter was unable to hold onto at deep mid-wicket. Mandhana then dispatched the Australian spinner over the ropes once more before sealing the win with a six off the first ball of the final set, sending Annabel Sutherland‘s delivery back over her head.
Earlier in the women’s match, Annabel Sutherland was the top scorer for Sunrisers Leeds, contributing a controlled 35 runs off 24 balls, including four fours, towards their total of 142-4. Bryony Smith and Phoebe Litchfield also made contributions with 26 runs and 31 runs respectively. Dani Gibson provided late momentum to the innings, scoring 18 runs off just six balls. For the Super Giants, Grace Ballinger was the most economical bowler, conceding only 17 runs from her 20 wicketless balls, while spinner Sophie Ecclestone gave away 30 runs and fellow England international Ryana MacDonald-Gay conceded 36 runs.
Sunrisers Leeds men set Headingley chase record
In the men’s fixture at Headingley, Sunrisers Leeds secured a dominant eight-wicket win over Manchester Super Giants, setting a new record for the highest chase in The Hundred at the venue. The chase of 182 runs was led by strong batting performances from Mitch Marsh, captain Zak Crawley, and Harry Brook.
Mitch Marsh, who was named Player of the Match, scored 63 runs off 26 balls, including an incredible half-century off 20 balls. Zak Crawley contributed an unbeaten 56 runs off 34 balls, and Harry Brook added an unbeaten 42 runs off 17 balls. Brook delighted the home crowd with six maximums in his innings, including a large six over midwicket that sealed the game with 12 balls to spare.
The Manchester Super Giants had posted a substantial total of 181 runs in their innings. Opener Tim Seifert scored 28 runs off 16 balls, and captain Aiden Markram added 32 runs off 23 balls. A significant 105-run stand was then formed by Jos Buttler, who made an unbeaten 63 runs off 33 balls, and Heinrich Klaasen, who scored 53 runs off 27 balls.
Despite the early dismissal of Ryan Rickleton for 13 runs off 11 balls by Josh Tongue, Sunrisers Leeds remained undeterred. Marsh’s rapid scoring brought his side back into the game, and the partnership between former England teammates Crawley and Brook, which amounted to 68 runs, secured the victory. Marsh commented that the wicket felt “a bit slower than the other day” but acknowledged that Headingley is “a tough ground to defend,” especially when a partnership gets going.
Following this loss, Sunrisers Leeds are now level on points with league leaders Manchester Thunder, both having eight points. However, Crawley’s side remains fourth in the table due to having the lowest net run rate. The Hundred competition is set to continue on Wednesday with double-headers scheduled in Cardiff and London, featuring Welsh Fire against Trent Rockets and MI London women taking on London Spirit.
Source: bbc.com