Washington Freedom prolonged their unbeaten run in Main League Cricket (MLC) 2024 with a complete eight wicket victory over Los Angeles Knight Riders in Morrisville. Opting to bowl first on a gradual pitch, Freedom’s bowlers capitalized on the circumstances, proscribing Knight Riders to a modest complete of 129.
The choice to bowl first proved to be a masterstroke, because the pitch supplied simply sufficient help to maintain the Knight Riders batters in test, resulting in a snug chase for Freedom.
Saurabh Netravalkar’s bowling masterclass
Saurabh Netravalkar, who had been a standout performer within the current T20 World Cup, showcased his prowess with an outstanding spell, returning figures of 4/35. He struck twice in his opening over, eradicating Sunil Narine with an ideal full size supply that knocked over his stumps and Unmukt Chand with a brief pitched ball.
By the fifth over, Knight Riders have been reeling at 18/4, with Jason Roy and Shakib Al Hasan additionally again within the pavilion. Roy was caught at deep midwicket attempting to clear the boundary, whereas Shakib was bowled by way of the gate by a superbly disguised slower ball. Saif Badar tried to stabilize the innings with a cautious 35, enjoying some elegant photographs and rotating the strike successfully. Nonetheless, his dismissal – trapped LBW by a skidding supply from Rachin Ravindra – triggered one other collapse.
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Steve Smith’s exceptional catch off Glenn Maxwell’s bowling
Glenn Maxwell then tightened the screws together with his correct off-spin, ending with figures of three/15. His spell included the essential wicket of Andre Russell, who regarded harmful throughout his transient keep on the crease. Russell, attempting to speed up the scoring, was caught at long-on, failing to clear the boundary. After which, Steve Smith‘s distinctive fielding claimed the wicket of Nitish Kumar.
On the third ball of the eleventh over, Maxwell bowled a supply pitched on a size at center stump. Nitish tried to clear the ropes however failed to attain the specified elevation. The ball went in the direction of brief mid-wicket, the place Smith timed his soar completely and took a surprising airborne catch.
Right here’s the video:
📽️ | An absolute screamer ft. Steve Smith 🤩#MLC2024 #FreedomExpress #LAKRvWF | @MLCricket | @stevesmith49 pic.twitter.com/scmsyW1591
— Washington Freedom (@WSHFreedom) July 14, 2024
Highly effective batting seals the win for Washington Freedom
After that Lockie Ferguson added to the stress together with his specific tempo, taking two wickets in fast succession, making certain that LAKR folded with eight balls left of their innings.
Within the chase, Travis Head and captain Smith offered a strong begin, amassing 61 runs within the powerplay. Head was significantly aggressive, scoring 40 off simply 23 balls, smashing six sixes in his 32-ball 54. Regardless of his dismissal, which led to a slight dip within the scoring price, Smith anchored the innings with an unbeaten 42. His composed knock ensured that Freedom chased down the goal comfortably, with eight wickets and 4 overs to spare, sustaining their excellent begin to the season.
