On Wednesday, the Seattle Orcas made their entry into the 2024 Major League Cricket with a resounding nine-wicket win over Los Angeles Knight Riders at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
The Orcas chased down a decent target of 169 with one ball remaining after Ryan Rickelton’s unbeaten century and Quinton de Kock’s unbeaten half-century helped them to victory.
Rickelton remained unbeaten on 103 off 66 balls while hitting two sixes and thumping four boundaries, whilst his partner in crime de Kock played an innings of 51 not out from forty six balls by blasting five fours and smashing those two maximums.
As it Happened: LA Knight Riders vs Seattle Orcas
“Other experience we have a good bunch of lads. Thankful to help out the team. Nice to get over the line. It is always nice batting with Quinny. The way he plays is magic, I love it. It was tough up front, but when we went second it became easier. Happy to pull through, happy to get some points on the board,” said Rickelton after receiving his award for “Player of the Match”.
Heinrich Klaasen commended his batsmen as well as hailed this team’s collective effort
“We had to execute our plans after what happened in the first game. The batters took responsibility tonight. They showed intent today in the fielding department boys are really working hard out there; We got some decent players within us; A combined work which makes my job easier; Ricky (Rickelton) has not been playing for almost two months now and he gave us an incredible knock; De kock also played decently he was under control,” said Klaasen.
Knight Riders captain Sunil Narine acknowledged that his team had failed in certain areas, especially making use of such a strong beginning.
“We started well but they bowled well in the middle overs. They just couldn’t choke them in the middle overs. We need to come back strongly in the next game. If we get 160, we need to take 2-3 early wickets. Once these guys get going, it’s hard to stop them after such a start. It becomes easier for batting in second inning; we know how easy it is while batting second; Just let’s forget everything; Positives that’s what we should take out of this short tournament; And we have some other plans,” said Narine.
Knight Riders had earlier scored a competitive total of 168/5 thanks to Jason Roy (69 off 52 balls) and David Miller (44 not out off 22 balls).
However, Rickelton and de Kock eclipsed their heroes. The Knight Riders were not able to break the partnership that proved decisive despite having lost Nauman Anwar early on.
Throughout Orcas’ chase, both South African batters remained untroubled as they saw their side through with an over remaining.
