Marsh, Ryan Rickelton, and Brook combine for the highest total ever.
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A Historic Headingley Night
Sunrisers Leeds record the Hundred’s biggest ever total, overcoming a spirited reply by London Spirit to win by 37 runs; between the innings, the two sides scored 446 runs and 31 sixes, on a pitch that provided little but rewards for the batters.
Marsh And Rickelton Ignite
Put in to bat, opener Mitchell Marsh and Ryan Rickelton ensured the Sunrisers got off to a flyer, with Marsh scampering to fifty in 24 balls and continuing to accelerate until he was out for 76 from 37. Rickelton was even quicker, reaching his half-century in only 21 deliveries, and in the end remained unbeaten on 94 from 42.
The two Aussie openers added 148 for the first wicket from 65 balls, a Hundred men’s record for a first-wicket stand, and propelled their side to 119 after 50 balls, the best-ever halfway score in the competition.
Brook Joins The Carnage
Once Marsh was out for 76, the big-hitting continued, as Harry Brook, the local hero, joined Rickelton in freewheeling. Brook followed in his partner’s footsteps to record a stunning fifty in only 15 balls, taking the Sunrisers’ score past the Hundred’s previous record total.
He remained at the crease until the last ball, eventually falling for 55 off 18 balls, with five fours and five sixes to his name, caught out by Jamie Overton. David Willey removed Brook with his final delivery of the innings.
In the end, the Sunrisers reached a stunning 241 for 2, well above the previous Hundred record of 226 for 4 by Oval Invincibles against Welsh Fire, which meant that the chasing side had to equal or better this score to tie the match.
Marsh’s Tournament Milestone
Apart from the huge individual innings, this was also a special day for one of the stars of the competition, Mitchell Marsh. Firstly, the 32-year-old Aussie added to his tally of centuries for the Hundred, bringing his total to 23, and moving him to second place in the tournament’s run-scoring list.
Secondly, he has now equalled the record for the most sixes hit in the Hundred, with 23 clear boundaries. Interestingly enough, his opening partner, Ryan Rickelton, and the young prodigy, Harry Brook, were also in the list of the competition’s century-makers.
Spirit’s Rocky Start
Chasing down a huge total proved to be a steep challenge for London Spirit, and their evening began reasonably poorly. Jonny Bairstow was out for a duck, and the Aussies were already in trouble after the opening over.
Liam Livingstone attempted to steady the innings and scored 34 off 11 deliveries, before being removed by Nathan Ellis, who finished with 2 for 42.
Willey’s Lone Fight
After that, the Spirit wickets fell regularly, with James Coles and James Rew both falling cheaply. Dewald Brevis stayed on till the final over, hitting five boundaries and two sixes, finishing with 38 off 21 balls. He was the last man out, top-edging Reece Topley to be caught at long-on.
However, David Willey remained determined in the chase, scoring 50 off 31 balls, and eventually remained unbeaten on 83 from 46, with the highest individual score in the match.
In the end, the Spirit made 204 for 6, with their score being the fifth-highest ever in the men’s Hundred. Although they were well beaten, their total of ten sixes meant that the aggregate for the match was 446 runs and 31 sixes, both record-breaking figures.
What Comes Next
Sunrisers Leeds are now in fourth place in the Hundred table, with five wins and three losses, one point ahead of MI London, and in the race to qualify for the business end of the tournament.
For their part, London Spirit must regroup after this defeat, but there is no doubt that each of them will take pride in this historic chase, which went down to the wire.
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