Walter's 80 powers Manchester Super Giants into Hundred final

Paul Walter struck 80 off 46 as Manchester Super Giants defeated Sunrisers Leeds by 20 runs in the Men's Hundred Eliminator at The Oval on 14 August 2026. 'He makes it look so easy' - Walter's huge-hitting innings.

Manchester Super Giants posted 186-4 from their 100 balls, with Walter's 80 (46) and Heinrich Klaasen's 63 (26) underpinning the total. Sunrisers Leeds replied with 166-7, Ryan Rickelton finishing 54 not out from 34, Harry Brook scoring 49 off 31, and Josh Tongue finishing with 4-26.

Put in to bat, Super Giants lost Tim Seifert from the second ball but Walter and Jos Buttler added 57 for the second wicket, Buttler making 33 from 20 deliveries. Walter then put together a dominant partnership with Klaasen, the pair combining for 114 off 52 balls as Walter cleared the ropes eight times and Klaasen hit four sixes.

Klaasen's 63 ended when Nathan Ellis dismissed him, leaving a platform that propelled Super Giants to their 186-4 total. Sunrisers, despite a powerful top order during the tournament, were unable to match the run rate under the chase pressure and finished on 166-7.

Mitch Marsh was dismissed for 10 before Zak Crawley wasted a review when he was plumb lbw for six, and Harry Brook was given out lbw on 49 attempting a reverse scoop — replays showed the ball had pitched outside off stump. Brook's 31-ball knock had kept Sunrisers in contention until that decision.

England seamer Josh Tongue removed both Marsh and Crawley and finished with 4-26, while Sonny Baker claimed 2-39 as Super Giants' bowling attack tore through the middle order. Ryan Rickelton remained unbeaten on 54 but could not carry Sunrisers to the target.

Super Giants will face Trent Rockets in the final at Lord's on Sunday.