The Washington Freedom earned a place in the final of the 2024 Major League Cricket by beating the San Francisco Unicorns by seven wickets in their Qualifier match at Dallas on Friday.
The Washington bowling attack was led by Rachin Ravindra as they restricted the Unicorns to a paltry 145. The table-toppers then chased down the target in just 15.3 overs, thanks to explosive batting by Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell.
In just 6.4 overs, Head and Maxwell had an unbeaten partnership worth 85 runs for the fourth wicket that ensured a quick and an emphatic win.
Head remained not out on 77 off 44 balls as he struck three sixes and ten fours. With his blistering innings of 54 unbeaten from just 23 deliveries that included five sixes and four fours, Maxwell provided good support. In addition to this pair, Washington won its remaining matches with an aggregate of twenty-seven balls left unplayed and still have seven male players undischarged in front of them.
Travis Head was voted as Player of the Match after he turned in a stellar performance. Speaking about his knock afterwards, he mentioned: “Feels nice, was stuck in the 50s for a bit so happy to get a match-winning score today. I don’t try to play deep too much; my job is just to get a fast start. A few wickets fell today, so I just tried to adjust. It has been a good wicket, and there was a bit of swing today, but when it swings it gives you an opportunity”.
Steve Smith showered praise on his side’s performance stating that their chemistry and execution were excellent. “Good fun, we have a good bunch of guys who have gelled together quickly. Beautiful campaign when you’re winning along the way”. We played really well.We are ecstatic about reaching this far. It’s about taking wickets with a new ball and then Travis and Maxi played unbelievably well.”
Washington’s bowlers delivered vital blows early on after opting to field first. Marco Jansen (3/46) and Saurabh Netravalkar (2/23) set the tone, whereas Rachin Ravindra’s splendid spell of 4 for 11 ripped apart the San Francisco batting order.
Despite Hassan Khan’s brave half-century off 36 balls and Corey Anderson’s quick fire 26 off just 19 deliveries, the Unicorns were bundle out for 145 inside 19 overs.
Corey Anderson admitted his team’s deficiencies but maintained hopes for the next outing saying: “Always tough when you lose 4 wickets early, we were probably 20-30 runs short. Head played a superb innings and Maxi came out and scored quick. We were short on all aspects of our game.” They play hard cricket and were always going to take risks, but with risks come chances for us.”Today was an off day for us, we need to pick ourselves quickly and get ready for tomorrow.”
San Francisco will now face Texas Super Kings in the challenger match on Saturday to earn another opportunity to enter final again against Washington Freedom at the summit clash.
