It is neck-and-neck at the top of the Major League Cricket table. The top teams at the top the Washington Freedom and the San Francisco Unicorns have solidified their position at the top with 11 points each. The latest winner is the Unicorns, who beat the high-flying Freedom by six wickets earlier today. As expected it was a closely fought game as both equally matched sides went head to head.
Having put into bat, the team from the capital managed a competitive score of 174 for 3 in 15.3 overs. By no means an insurmountable one, but it was a score that teams in MLC have been defending. However, the catch was, as a rain-affected game the Unicorns needed to get in just 14 overs. A tough ask, but not an impossible one. And it wasn’t.
Washington Freedom Post a Solid Total in a Rain-Affected Game
https://gty.im/1458157407
It was a good toss for the Unicorns to win. In conditions where there is always the possibility of showers, the chasing team, with the possibility for reductions tends to carry an advantage. Nonetheless, the team had to bat well to stay competitive. This is what the Unicorns did, with the powerful Australian opening combination of Travis Head and Steve Smith, who have been a rock at the top. And once again they delivered the goods with a 101 opening stand.
Knowing that weather may come into the equation the Freedom batsman kept striking the ball as the score kept ticking over. Finally reaching 174 for 3, helped by a quick cameo by Rachin Ravindra who made 16 off 6 deliveries inclusive of two sixes; when the skies opened. Ending the Washington Freedom innings at 15.3 overs. The abrupt ending would have no doubt played on the minds of the Freedom, who will now have to defend a score under the Duckworth and Lewis method.
San Francisco Unicorns Chase – Fraser-McGurk Misses out but Krishnamurthi Shines
A lot was expected from the rising star of Australian cricket Jake Fraser-McGurk. A potential successor of David Warner at the top for Australia has had an off-color season with the Unicorns, and today was no different as he managed only 18. But where he failed another youngster Sanjay Krishnamurthi, an American with Indian roots came to the party. In an exciting innings, Krishnamurthi blasted six sixes in a score of 79 off just 42 deliveries. And together with Josh Inglis who hammered an even more ferocious 45 off 17 with 6 sixes the two batsman made short work of the target.
The game was always within touching distance, despite it getting a bit close at the end. With the dismissal of Josh Inglis and Sherfane Rutherford in quick time, the Unicorns recovered well to get past the Freedom’s total with two balls to spare. This win means that the San Francisco Unicorns are virtually guaranteed a place in the playoffs of the Major League Cricket.
Qualification Almost Guaranteed for Washington and San Francisco
The Washington Freedoms have proven themselves to be the best team in Major League Cricket this season. They have been solid with the bat and the ball, but with this win the San Francisco Unicorns have made their case for the top spot. And when players like Jake Fraser-McGurk start firing the opponents better watch out. On the critical side, the Unicorns need to be better at picking up wickets in the middle overs, to put more pressure on the opposition this is where players like Haris Rauf need to step up.
For More Great Content
Total Apex is an all-encompassing content producer. We provide heavily-detailed articles every day on entertainment, gaming, sports, and so much more! Check out all our great sports content Total Apex Sports. Check us out on X @TotalApexEandG and our other sites: Total Apex Entertainment, Total Apex Gaming, Total Apex Sports Bets, and Total Apex Fantasy Sports.
