Steve Smith Guides Washington Freedom to MLC 2024 Title with 96-Run Victory Over San Francisco Unicorns
Washington Freedom beat San Francisco Unicorns by 96 runs to lift the MLC title.
Washington Freedom claimed the inaugural Major League Cricket (MLC)2024 title with a comprehensive 96-run victory over the San Francisco Unicorns in a one-sided final.
Batting first, Washington Freedom posted a mammoth total of 207/5. Captain Steven Smith led the charge with a blistering knock of 88 runs off just 52 deliveries, laced with seven boundaries and six maximums.
Glenn Maxwell provided valuable support with a quickfire 40. For the Unicorns, Pat Cummins was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets.
Chasing a daunting target, San Francisco Unicorns were never in the hunt. Their batting crumbled under pressure as they were bowled out for a paltry 111 in just 16 overs. Carmi Le Roux was their highest run-scorer with an unbeaten 20 runs.
Washington Freedom’s bowling attack was exceptional, with Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra picking up three wickets each. Andre Tye claimed two, while Glenn Maxwell and Saurabh Netravalkar chipped in with one wicket apiece.
The victory was a fitting end to a dominant campaign for Washington Freedom, who were the standout team throughout the tournament. Captain Steven Smith was adjudged the Player of the Match for his match-winning innings.
Brief Scores:
• Washington Freedom: 207/5 (Steven Smith 88, Glenn Maxwell 40)
• San Francisco Unicorns: 111 all out (Carmi Le Roux 20*; Marco Jansen 3/28, Rachin Ravindra 3/23)
Washington Freedom won by 96 runs.
