Sunrisers rewrite the record books at Headingley

Sunrisers Leeds produced the highest total in The Hundred's history on Friday, racking up a mammoth 241 for 2 before beating London Spirit by 37 runs in a breathtaking high-scoring contest at Headingley.

The victory lifted Sunrisers to fourth in the Men's competition table, level on points with MI London, after a batting performance that tore apart the tournament's record books.

Record-breaking partnership sparks the fireworks

Mitchell Marsh and Ryan Rickelton made the most of an excellent batting surface, attacking from the very outset. Marsh brought up a 24-ball fifty to move to the top of the tournament's run-scoring charts, while Rickelton got there even quicker, off just 21 deliveries.

Their partnership took Sunrisers to 119 without loss at the halfway mark - the highest score at the halfway stage of an innings in the competition. The opening pair kept the scoring rate high and, by the time they had combined for 131 in only 54 balls, they had broken the record for the highest partnership in the men's Hundred, surpassing the unbeaten 127 put on by Tom Curran and Jimmy Neesham in the 2023 final.

Marsh eventually departed for a blistering 76 off 37 balls, but the onslaught continued with the arrival of Harry Brook.

Brook blitzes record-equalling fifty

After taking a couple of deliveries to settle in, Brook sent the bowlers on a leather hunt as Sunrisers raced to 200 in only 85 deliveries. He struck five fours and as many sixes - including a no-look maximum - as he equalled Adam Rossington's record for the fastest fifty in The Hundred, getting to the mark in a remarkable 15 deliveries.

Brook eventually departed for an 18-ball 55 before Dan Lawrence struck a four and a six to provide a fiery end to the innings. Rickelton, who didn't face strike for the last seven deliveries, remained unbeaten on 94 off 42 as Sunrisers surpassed Oval Invincibles' 226 for 4 in 2025 to record the highest total in The Hundred.

Sunrisers' collective 21 sixes were also a tournament record, with all four batters striking at over 200.

Spirit's chase falls short despite Willey's heroics

Chasing an imposing target, Spirit lost Jonny Bairstow to the first ball of the innings as Reece Topley marked his first appearance of the season with an early wicket before also dismissing Lhuan-dre Pretorius.

Liam Livingstone counterattacked with 34 off 13 balls, but Nathan Ellis cut short his stay and Spirit soon slipped to 56 for 5. Spirit never quite managed to keep pace despite David Willey's unbeaten 83 off 46 balls.

Dewald Brevis contributed 38 off 21, while Willey brought up a 31-ball fifty, but the required rate had climbed too steeply. Spirit eventually finished on 204 for 6 - the ninth 200-plus total in the men's competition - but still fell 37 runs short.

Their 10 sixes combined with Sunrisers' 21 produced a record 31 sixes maximums in the match, while the aggregate of 445 runs was born also the highest in the competition's history.

Brief scores

Sunrisers Leeds 241/2 in 100 balls (Ryan Rickelton 94* off 42, Mitchell Marsh 76 off 37, Harry Brook 55 off 18; Adam Milne 1-37) beat London Spirit 204/6 in 100 balls (David Willey 83* off 46, Dewald Brevis 38 off 21; Reece LL Topley 2-30, Nathan Ellis 2-42) by 37 runs.