In a thrilling finale at Grand Prairie Stadium, Washington Freedom claimed the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 title with a commanding 96-run victory over the San Francisco Unicorns.
Steve Smith sizzles with the bat
Opting to bowl first after winning the toss, the Unicorns faced a daunting challenge from a powerful Washington batting lineup. Washington Freedom set a formidable target with a total of 207 for 5 in their 20 overs. Steve Smith was the star of the innings, scoring a scintillating 88 off 52 balls, including 7 fours and 6 sixes.
His partnership with Glenn Maxwell, who blasted 40 off 22 balls with 1 four and 4 sixes, provided the backbone of the innings. Contributions from Andries Gous (21 off 14), Mukhtar Ahmed (19 off 9), and Obus Pienaar (13 off 9) further bolstered the score. Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers for San Francisco, claiming 2 wickets for 35 runs, while Hassan Khan, Haris Rauf, and Juanoy Drysdale each took a wicket but proved expensive.
Rachin Ravindra wreaks havoc
Chasing 208, the San Francisco Unicorns faltered early and never recovered, bowled out for 111 in 16 overs. The Washington bowlers were relentless, with Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra taking 3 wickets apiece, conceding 28 and 23 runs respectively.
Andrew Tye provided crucial breakthroughs, claiming 2 wickets for just 12 runs in his 2 overs, while Maxwell also chipped in with a wicket. The Unicorns struggled to build partnerships, with only Carmi le Roux (20 off 19) and Josh Inglis (18 off 11) providing brief resistance.
Washington Freedom’s comprehensive win was a testament to their all-round performance, with significant contributions from both their batters and bowlers. This victory marks a remarkable season for Washington Freedom, crowning them the champions of MLC 2024.
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Here is how fans reacted:
Mission one 𝐓𝐄𝐀𝐌, one 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐌 successful 🏆✅#MLC2024 #FreedomExpress #MLCChampionship #SFUvWF pic.twitter.com/oe9JmF1cd3
— Washington Freedom (@WSHFreedom) July 29, 2024
For his sensational 🤩 knock of 8️⃣8️⃣ off just 52 balls, Steve Smith has been awarded the MVP for the Championship Final! 🏆 #MLC2024 | #CognizantMajorLeagueCricket | #T20 | #MLCChampionship pic.twitter.com/0x2KFPDawl
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 29, 2024
– Champions of MLC 2024.
– Top of the Points Table.
– Player of the match in the final.
– 2nd leading run getter.
STEVE SMITH – CAPTAIN, LEADER, LEGEND 👌 pic.twitter.com/EvjSIxwnFQ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 29, 2024
It’s him , it’s always him in pressure situations, in knockouts , whatever the format or conditions are, a wall in front of the opponent.
A mentality monster. I’m a fan for life Steve Smith ❤️ pic.twitter.com/QMWt166nAc
— Rafi (@rafi4999) July 29, 2024
Since 2016 Ricky Ponting hasn’t won anything as a coach. Then he worked with Captain Steve Smith in 2024 & Rest is history.
Ricky deserves it. Hopefully we can see this duo working together in the future too. pic.twitter.com/ZyKi69OqX3
— JustMyThoughts (@shaibal_27) July 29, 2024
Travis head wins Player of the Tournament award 🏆#cricket #MLC2024 #travishead #freedomexpress #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/lwByXNjScP
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) July 29, 2024
Captain Steve Smith in this MLC 2024:
•Won the Trophy as Captain.
•Most runs scorer for WAF.
•2nd Most runs scorer overall.
•POTM award in Final.
Happy For Steve Smith Australia sideline him but he came back and slapped AUS 💪. pic.twitter.com/5q6Qj0IW9w
— Rafi (@rafi4999) July 29, 2024
“Steve Smith is absolutely brilliant he won the game single handedly for us”. Ricky Ponting pic.twitter.com/sDMLp6R9lu
— Lubana Warriors (@LubanaS49) July 29, 2024
Australia selectors: No room for Steve Smith in our 2024 T20 WC squad.
Smith: pic.twitter.com/8V3CBGcXkQ
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog) July 29, 2024
Who says Steve Smith is not a six hitter ??????? pic.twitter.com/WYFKf4yOcO
— Rafi (@rafi4999) July 29, 2024
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