MLC Final 2024: Steve Smith Led Washington Freedom Lift The MLC Trophy. Washington Freedom team won the title of champion in the Major League Cricket 2024 Tournament held in America. The Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns faced each other in the final match at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on 29th July. Corey Anderson led San Francisco Unicorns won the toss and chose to bowl in the final.
Steve Smith gave a good start to the Washington Freedom team who started the innings accordingly. But the other opener Travis Head (9) was disappointed by giving away his wicket early. Andries Gous (21) got out soon after this. At this stage, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, who came together, displayed a great batting performance. This Aussie duo emphasized the fast batting and crossed the team’s total of 150 by the time 15 overs were over.
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The 35-year-old right-handed batter Steve Smith, who faced 52 balls, scored 88 runs with 6 huge sixes and 7 fours. Glenn Maxwell scored 40 runs in 22 balls by hitting 4 huge sixes. With the help of this great batting, the Washington Freedom team lost 5 wickets in 20 overs and collected 207 runs.
Marco Jansen gave the San Francisco Unicorns an early shock as they chased a tough target of 208 runs. Jake Fraser-McGurk (3) and Finn Allen (13) took wickets in the powerplay and brought early success.
After that, Josh Inglis scored 18 runs, while Hassan Khan scored 13 runs. The Aussies ODI skipper Pat Cummins got out after scoring 13 runs. The Washington Freedom bowlers organized a team attack and managed to bowl out the San Francisco Unicorns for 111 runs in 16 overs. Through this, the Washington Freedom team led by Steve Smith won the championship by 96 runs.
In the first season of the Major League Cricket tournament, Mumbai Indians franchise MI New York won the title. Also, the Seattle Orcas team was satisfied with the runner-up award. This time, Washington lifted the Freedom Trophy by defeating the San Francisco Unicorns.
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Washington Freedom Playing XI: Travis Head, Steven Smith (captain), Andries Gauss (wicketkeeper), Rachin Ravindra, Glenn Maxwell, Mukhtar Ahmed, Obus Pinar, Marco Jansen, Ian Holland, Andrew Tye, Saurabh Netravalkar.
San Francisco Unicorns Playing XI: Finn Allen, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Sanjay Krishnamurthy, Josh Inglis (wicketkeeper), Sherfan Rutherford, Hasan Khan, Corey Anderson (captain), Pat Cummins, Harris Rauff, Carmi Le Roux, Junoy Drysdale.
