Right then, that will be it from us for this contest. We hope you enjoyed the coverage. The action continues at the MLC, 2024 as San Francisco Unicorns face Los Angeles Knight Riders on July 8th at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas. That game will start at 6.00 am IST (12.30 am GMT). But you can join early for all the build-up. Until then, take care, and cheers!
So the Washington Freedom are off to a winning start in the competition courtesy of some inclement weather. Earlier in the day, Washington Freedom opted to bowl and kept MI New York to a score of 154 for 9 where Saurabh Netravalkar and Justin Dill snapped three wickets each while Jansen, Ferguson, and Maxwell chipped in with one apiece. Nicholas Pooran carried on his good form with the blade while Ruben Clinton and Rashid Khan made handy runs. Chasing 155 for the win, the Freedom began slowly and lost Travis Head cheaply. Steven Smith and Andries Gous took their time initially before Smith took the mantle and smashed 46 off just 28 before the rain arrived. The Washington Freedom were 55 for 1 during the break and were four runs ahead. Those 4 runs came to do wonders for them as they eventually won by that margin on the DLS method and started their campaign on a positive note.
Update - 4.10 am IST (10.10 pm previous day GMT) - The rain continues and the match has been called off. The game was halted due to lighting which later turned into a downpour and play was not possible for the rest of the evening. Washington Freedom won by 4 runs on the DLS method and started their season with a win.
Update -3.19 am IST (9.49 pm previous day GMT) - Looks like there is some lightning around the ground and the umpires have decided to suspend the play at the moment. The DLS par score is 51 and the Washington Freedom are four runs ahead. Remember, five overs have been already done in both innings so we will get a result. Dark clouds are hovering over the ground and some covers are brought in. Let's hope this is just a passing shower. Stick around for further updates.
In over# 8
0
1
0
2
Nosthush Kenjige 3/0(0.4)
7.4
.
No run.Floated on off. Gous pushes it to short cover.
7.3
1
Tosses it on the middle and leg. Smith nudges it to mid-wicket for one.
7.2
.
Floated on off. Smith prods and pushes into covers.
7.1
2
Short and wide outside off. Smith cuts it to deep backward point for a couple.
In over# 7
0
4
0
1
0
4
Rashid Khan 12/0(2)
6.6
.
Flighted on off. Gous defends on the back foot.
6.5
4
FOUR! SHOT! Tad too short, outside off. Andries Gous makes room and punches it through covers for a boundary.
6.4
.
Darted on the middle and leg. Gous advances to play across the line but misses and wears on the pad.
6.3
1
Floated on off. Smith pushes into covers for one.
6.2
.
Full on the middle and leg. Smith finds mid-wicket with the on-drive.
6.1
4
FOUR! Put Away! Shortish leg break, outside off. Smith waits back and carves it through backward point for a boundary.
In over# 6
1
6
4
0
4
1wd
6
Anrich Nortje 22/0(1)
5.6
1
Yorker length delivery on the middle stump line. Smith advances and drives off the cue end, down the ground for one.
5.5
6
SIX! BOOM! Short of a good length, around off. Smith is early into the pull and hammers it over deep square leg for a biggie.
5.4
4
FOUR! SMASHED! Full and at the stumps. Smith clears the front leg and drills it through mid-off for a crunching boundary.