Andre Russell was at his best as he smashed Haris Rauf for a gigantic six during the San Francisco Unicorns vs Los Angeles Knight Riders match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
Unicorns skipper Corey Anderson won the toss and opted to bowl first. Rauf, in his first over, dismissed Sunil Narine with a back-of-the-length off-cutter. Half-centurion of the previous game, Unmukt Chand, departed for a five-ball duck as Brody Couch took his wicket. Jason Roy and Shakib Al Hasan hit a few boundaries, taking the Knight Riders to 42/2 after the powerplay overs.
Los Angeles Knight riders’ middle-order performance
Liam Plunkett was introduced into the attack and he delivered with Roy’s wicket. The English opener scored 26 runs from 18 balls. Nitish Kumar and Shakib shared a crucial partnership in the middle overs.
In the 12th over, Pakistan spinner Abrar Ahmed dismissed Shakib, who scored 35 runs from 26 balls. Couch returned to dismiss Hassan Khan for a 19-ball 20. David Miller hit a six and a four before being deceived by Rauf’s slower ball, scoring 24 runs from 18 balls. Russell hit a few sixes in his 25-ball 40, taking the Knight Riders’ score to 165/6.
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Andre Russell’s massive six off Haris Rauf
In one of the most thrilling moments of the match, Russell showcased his power-hitting ability against Rauf. On the fourth last ball of the Knight Riders’ innings, Rauf bowled a length ball that sat up nicely for Russell.
The West Indies all-rounder unleashed a powerful swing, connecting perfectly and sending the ball soaring over midwicket. The shot was so immense that it traveled an astonishing 107 meters, clearing the stadium and leaving the crowd in awe.
Here’s the video:
San Francisco Unicorns’ chase and Finn Allen’s explosive knock
In response, the Unicorns lost Jake Fraser-McGurk early to Spencer Johnson. Finn Allen attacked, hitting Russell for a four and two sixes, and three consecutive sixes off Shakib, reaching 67/1 after the powerplay. Matt Short joined in, hitting Corne Dry for two sixes. Allen scored a fifty off 25 balls in the eighth over, and Short reached his half-century off 23 balls in the 11th over.
Narine broke the second-wicket partnership, bowling Short for 58 runs from 26 balls. Johnson dismissed Allen for 63 runs from 37 balls in the next over. Narine bowled two no-balls and was hit for a six by Corey Anderson. Johnson took another wicket, dismissing Josh Inglis. Despite these wickets, the Unicorns got over the line in the 16th over, securing their victory by six wickets.
San Francisco Unicorns defeated Los Angeles Knight Riders by 6 wickets 🏏
Scorecard: https://t.co/s8gPMMYemF#cricket #SFUvLAKR #MLC2024 #finnallen #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/biY1scvIXj
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 8, 2024
Also READ: Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024: Broadcast, live streaming details – When and Where to watch in India, US, UK, Australia & other countries
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