Steve Smith delivered a captain’s performance with the bat, while Marco Jansen starred with the ball, leading the Washington Freedom to a commanding 96-run victory over the San Francisco Unicorns in the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 final at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on July 28.
Smith scored an 88 off 52 balls, propelling the team to 207/5. His innings included six sixes and seven fours. Glenn Maxwell provided valuable support with a quickfire 40 off 22 balls.
Batting first, Andries Gous and Steve Smith stabilized the innings after Travis Head's departure, concluding the powerplay overs at 49/2. Smith then accelerated, hitting consecutive sixes in the ninth over. He got to the half-century mark in just 34 balls a few overs later.
Smith, alongside Glenn Maxwell, turned on the heat by scoring 44 runs in just two overs, including four sixes and two fours. The Australian pair contributed 83 runs in just 39 balls before Smith was dismissed, having posted the highest individual score for the team in the MLC. Maxwell's dynamic innings included four sixes and one four.
During the second half of the game, Jansen was instrumental in dismissing the Unicorns for 111 with four overs to spare. The left-arm pacer recorded impressive figures of 3/28. Part-time off-spinner Rachin Ravindra supported Jansen by taking three for himself.
The wicket /|\ that sealed the deal #MLC2024 #FreedomExpress #MLCChampionship #SFUvWF pic.twitter.com/43xd9o0EaP
— Washington Freedom (@WSHFreedom) July 29, 2024
The Unicorns' innings collapsed after 16 overs, sparking celebrations both on and off the field. Andrew Tye took two wickets, while Saurabh Netravalkar and Maxwell each claimed one, rounding off a comprehensive bowling effort.
Brief Scores: Washington Freedom (Steve Smith 88, Glenn Maxwell 40, Pat Cummins 2/35) beat San Francisco Unicorns (Carmi Le Roux 20, Josh Inglis 18, Marco Jansen 3/28) by 96 runs.
The crowning moment, ICYMI #MLC2024 #FreedomExpress #MLCChampionship #SFUvWF @MLCricket pic.twitter.com/JLBvSofij8
— Washington Freedom (@WSHFreedom) July 29, 2024
STAKE MOST VALUABLE PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT: Travis Head (Washington Freedom)
ROYAL RICE LEADING RUN SCORER: Faf du Plessis (Texas Super Kings)
WILLOW BY CRICBUZZ LEADING WICKET TAKER: Saurabh Netravalkar (Washington Freedom)
BART KING DOMESTIC PLAYER OF THE TOURNAMENT: Hassan Khan (San Francisco Unicorns)
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