Washington Freedom secured their third consecutive victory in the 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) by defeating the Los Angeles Knight Riders by eight wickets on Sunday. Opting to bowl first, Washington’s bowlers dominated the match, bundling out Los Angeles for a modest total of 129. Saurabh Netravalkar led the charge with an impressive four-wicket haul, while Glenn Maxwell contributed significantly with three wickets.
In their chase, Washington’s openers, Travis Head and Steve Smith, put on a show, ensuring a smooth ride to the target. Head played a stellar knock, scoring 54 runs, and Smith remained unbeaten on 42. Their partnership of 79 runs laid a solid foundation, allowing Washington to reach the target in just 16 overs. The match also featured a bizarre incident that caught the attention of cricket fans worldwide.
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In the second over of Washington’s innings, all-rounder Andre Russell delivered a fiery short-pitched ball that broke Head’s bat. The ball struck the upper half of the bat, sending it flying toward mid-wicket, while Head was left holding just the handle. The Australian opener’s stunned reaction quickly went viral on social media, adding an unexpected twist to the match.
Russell broke Travis head’s bat with a Fierce bowl
Major league cricket #Russell#travishead#mlc#majorleaguecricket #Cricket #smith#head#funnyincident pic.twitter.com/0cFLoYDB1Y— जंबारू (@jambr123356) July 14, 2024
From the beginning of their chase, Washington Freedom dominated. Head and Smith ensured an explosive start, taking full advantage of the powerplay. By the end of the first six overs, Washington was well ahead, with the scoreboard reading 61/0. Head reached his half-century in just 27 balls, showcasing his power-hitting ability with six maximums. However, their partnership was eventually broken in the ninth over when Shadley Van Schalkwyk dismissed Head.
Rachin Ravindra joined Smith at the crease, contributing 11 runs before falling to the pace and bounce of Spencer Johnson in the 13th over. Despite the minor setback, Andries Gous and Smith guided Washington to victory, finishing at 130/2 in 16 overs.
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Earlier in the match, Netravalkar’s 4/35 and Maxwell’s 3/15 were instrumental in restricting the Los Angeles Knight Riders to a total of 129. Their disciplined bowling effort ensured that Washington had a manageable target to chase. Washington Freedom will now face MI New York in their next MLC match on Tuesday in Dallas, while the Los Angeles Knight Riders will take on the Seattle Orcas on Wednesday in Morrisville.
