Manchester Super Giants’ women’s team enjoyed another memorable evening in The Hundred 2026, edging SunRisers Leeds by four wickets in a thrilling contest at Headingley, while the men’s side suffered its first defeat of the campaign, going down by eight wickets despite a commanding batting display.
Smriti Mandhana starred with a match-winning innings for the women, ensuring the Super Giants returned home with another crucial victory to strengthen their early-season momentum.
After the bowlers did well to restrict SunRisers Leeds to 142 for four, despite useful contributions from their middle order, the Super Giants found themselves in a closely fought contest that went deep into the innings.
Mandhana, however, produced an innings of the highest quality, remaining unbeaten on a sensational 88 from just 50 balls. Mixing elegance with controlled aggression, she struck boundaries all around the ground and held the chase together under pressure.
With wickets falling at the other end, the Indian opener kept her composure before guiding the Super Giants home with four balls to spare, sealing a thrilling four-wicket victory.
Later, the men’s team posted an impressive 181 for three after Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen produced a superb batting exhibition. Buttler led the way with a fluent 63 off 33 deliveries, setting the tone at the top of the order, before Klaasen continued the charge with a blistering 53 from just 27 balls.
However, SunRisers Leeds responded with an equally dominant batting display, led by Mitchell Marsh, Zak Crawley and Harry Brook, chasing down the target with eight wickets in hand and 12 balls to spare to hand the Super Giants their first loss of the tournament.
There is little time to dwell on the result as both Super Giants’ teams now turn their attention to Friday’s second home fixtures at Emirates Old Trafford Cricket Ground against Trent Rockets. The women’s side will look to continue its winning momentum, while the men’s team will be eager to bounce back quickly in front of the home faithful.
