Multiple magnificent top order batting performances secured SunRisers Leeds a dominant eight-wicket win over Manchester Super Giants at Headingley.
Swashbuckling knocks from Mitch Marsh (63 off 26), captain Zak Crawley (56no off 34), and Harry Brook (42no off 17) made quick work of the visitors’ target of 182, breaking the record for the highest chase in the Hundred at Headingley.
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Take a look as Sunrisers Leeds let off after a Manchester Super Giants drop-catch
Heinrich Klaasen notched 53 off 27 balls for the Super Giants
The Super Giants, though, put in a strong batting performance in their opening innings, with opener Tim Seifert (28 off 16) and skipper Aiden Markram (32 off 23) providing a solid platform for a brilliant 105-run stand shared by the impressive Jos Buttler (63no off 33) and Heinrich Klaasen (53 off 27), as Markram’s side built a sizeable score of 181.
SunRisers Leeds, though, were undeterred by the early dismissal of Ryan Rickleton (13 off 11) by Josh Tongue, as Marsh built an incredible half-ton off 20 balls to get his side back in the game and on pace for a massive chase.
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Take a look as Tom Moores produces a stunning catch for Manchester Super Giants against Sunrisers Leeds
Former England team-mates Crawley and Brook did the rest, putting on a 68-run stand to secure victory, with Brook delighting his home crowd with six maximums in his cameo including a huge six over midwicket to win the game with 12 balls to spare.
The loss puts SunRisers Leeds level on points with league leaders Manchester Thunder on eight points, though Crawley’s side remain fourth in the table with the lowest net run rate.
Marsh notched his highest score of the Hundred season so far and was awarded Player of the Match
“It’s been a good start. I thought that was a great win by the lads,” Player of the Match Mitch Marsh said on Sky Sports.
“They’re a really good side so it’s a really good win for us. We didn’t get off to a flyer in the powerplay but we stuck at it. The partnership I was able to have with Zak was great; he batted beautifully today.
“We thought the wicket was a bit slower than the other day… but it’s a tough ground to defend. I don’t think it changed so much, but as you saw from their innings, once you get a partnership going it’s hard to stop.”
What’s on in the Hundred on Wednesday?
The streak of men’s and women’s double-headers continue, with Wednesday seeing Welsh Fire take on Trent Rockets, live on Sky Sports from 3:00pm. Watch The Hundred and more contract-free on NOW