LEEDS — Graham Clark delivered a moment of pure drama at Headingley, smashing a final-ball six to secure a thrilling three-wicket victory for Northern Superchargers over Southern Brave in The Hundred. The match, packed with tension and twists, saw Clark’s heroics under pressure seal a memorable win for the home side.
A Nail-Biting Finish
With five runs needed off the last ball, Clark held his nerve against Southern Brave’s Chris Jordan, launching a towering six over deep midwicket to spark wild celebrations among the Superchargers’ fans. The victory kept their playoff hopes alive in a must-win encounter. "I just wanted to stay calm and back myself," Clark said post-match. "It’s moments like these you dream about as a kid."
The match had swung back and forth, with Southern Brave posting a competitive 145/6, thanks to James Vince’s composed 45. The Superchargers’ chase stuttered early, losing three quick wickets, but Clark’s unbeaten 46 off 32 balls anchored the innings. Key contributions came from:
- Tom Banton (28 off 18)
- Harry Brook (22 off 15)
- Brydon Carse (14 off 10)
Brave’s Missed Opportunities
Southern Brave will rue missed chances, particularly dropping Clark twice—once on 12 and again on 28. Their bowlers, led by Tymal Mills (2/20), kept the pressure on, but Jordan’s final over proved costly. "We had our chances, but credit to Clark—he took the game away from us," admitted Vince.
Turning Point
The 18th over, bowled by George Garton, turned the tide. Clark smashed two boundaries, reducing the equation to 15 off 10 balls. Earlier, Adil Rashid’s spell (2/22) had restricted Brave’s middle order, ensuring the target remained within reach.
Post-Match Reactions
Superchargers’ coach James Foster praised Clark’s composure: "Graham showed incredible belief. That’s the kind of innings that defines a player." Meanwhile, Brave’s coach Mahela Jayawardene lamented lapses in execution but remained optimistic: "We’ll learn from this and come back stronger."
The win lifted Superchargers to fourth in the table, while Brave slipped to third. With two games left, both teams remain in contention for the knockout stages, setting up a thrilling climax to the group phase.
Looking Ahead
Clark’s heroics have injected fresh momentum into Superchargers’ campaign. Their next fixture against Manchester Originals could prove decisive. For Brave, regrouping quickly is essential as they face table-toppers Oval Invincibles. "Every game is a final now," Clark added, echoing the high stakes.
The Hundred continues to deliver edge-of-the-seat entertainment, and Clark’s last-ball six will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the tournament’s defining moments. Fans can expect more fireworks as the race for the playoffs intensifies.