Manchester Super Giants beat London Spirit by seven runs at Lord's in The Hundred men's competition, with Liam Livingstone's 69 off 40 balls in vain for the home side. Super Giants posted 138-9 from 100 balls after Tim Seifert's 67 helped set a defendable total, then restricted Spirit to 131-6 despite Livingstone's fightback.
Sonny Baker made his Test debut for England in the recent series against New Zealand.
Manchester Super Giants 138-9 (100 balls): Seifert 67 (45); Livingstone 2-14
London Spirit 131-6 (100 balls): Livingstone 69 (40); Atkinson 2-15
Manchester Super Giants won by seven runs
How did Manchester Super Giants set their total?
Manchester Super Giants were put in to bat earlier and captain Aiden Markram made a slow start, scoring one off 10 balls before he was trapped lbw by Adam Milne. Opening partner Tim Seifert fared much better, striking 67 from 45 deliveries as he shared partnerships of 49 and 40 with Jos Buttler and Heinrich Klaasen.
Buttler made 16 and Klaasen scored 17, while no further batter reached double figures. Super Giants lost seven wickets for 35 runs as they finished on 138-9. Seifert's innings ended as the seventh wicket when he was caught at mid-wicket by David Willey off James Coles, but his score ultimately helped put the visitors in a winning position.
Why did Liam Livingstone keep Spirit in the chase?
Liam Livingstone kept London Spirit alive with a powerful 40-ball innings of 69 from number four, having also taken 2-14 in Manchester's innings. The home captain arrived after James Rew was dismissed for a two-ball duck and first added 37 with Kiran Carlson, who made 19, before putting on 68 with Dewald Brevis.
South Africa international Brevis played the supporting role, scoring 22 off 23 balls, before being caught and bowled by Gus Atkinson in the penultimate set. Atkinson finished with 2-15 as Spirit's hopes came down to the final over.
How did Sonny Baker finish the match?
Needing 12 off the final five balls, Livingstone faced England seamer Sonny Baker, who had conceded 25 runs from his first 15 deliveries. Livingstone had already hit five sixes and was looking to go big again, but the 23-year-old Baker held his nerve.
Baker conceded only four more runs, bowled Livingstone and then had James Coles caught from the final delivery as Spirit finished on 131-6. That left Super Giants seven runs clear at the end of a close contest at Lord's.
What is happening on Friday?
Birmingham Phoenix will take on Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on Friday, with the women's game starting at 15:00 BST and the men's at 18:30.
You can follow ball-by-ball commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, and the website and app.
Key Facts
- Manchester Super Giants beat London Spirit by seven runs at Lord's.
- Tim Seifert top-scored for Super Giants with 67 off 45 balls.
- Liam Livingstone scored 69 off 40 balls and also took 2-14.
- Sonny Baker bowled Livingstone and finished Spirit's innings in the final delivery.
- Birmingham Phoenix will play Trent Rockets at Edgbaston on Friday.
