LAKR VS WF MATCH 17

No run.

1 run.

Well bowled! Nails the yorker this time, on middle, angling in, Andre Fletcher just about manages to dig it out.

Mark Adair begins with a fuller one and on middle, Andre Fletcher blocks it down the pitch.

Mark Adair will share the attack.

Pitched up and on middle, Unmukt Chand knocks it down the pitch. 13 runs from the first over!

Good length and around leg, Andre Fletcher flicks it away nicely to the vacant deep square leg region. Mark Adair from deep mid-wicket runs a long way to his right and just collects the ball before it touches the fence. Three taken. Oh..wow! The replay shows that Adair actually stepped on the ropes while holding the ball, but gets away with it as the umpires haven't noticed it.

Bangs this into the pitch, on middle and off, angles away. Andre Fletcher skips down the track and slashes but misses.

Touch fuller and on middle, shaping away, Andre Fletcher pushes it to covers.

FOUR! Powered away! Back of a length and around middle, Andre Fletcher backs away a bit and absolutely thumps it over the umpire's head for a boundary.

FOUR! A bit streaky! Hits the length hard and on middle, angling away. Andre Fletcher adjusts well and just steers it past slip and short third for a boundary. Oh..no! The siren goes off and SN has overstepped here. No Ball and a Free Hit up next.

Unmukt Chand and Los Angeles Knight Riders are underway straightaway! Saurabh Netravalkar starts with a good-length delivery around off. Chand opens the face of his bat and guides it through point for a single.

All is set now, as the two openers of the Los Angeles Knight Riders have come out, where Unmukt Chand will open the batting alongside Andre Fletcher. Saurabh Netravalkar has the new ball in his hand, and he will start the proceedings. Here we go...

Before the action to kick off, the match officials and both team lineup for the national anthem of United States of America.

Jason Holder, the captain of Los Angeles Knight Riders says they are happy to bat first. Adds that it is just about attitude and they have been a bit flat in the last few games. Mentions that they need to stay positive and executive their plans better. Informs they have made three changes.

Glenn Maxwell, the skipper of Washington Freedom, says they will bowl first. Adds that the conditions look suited for chasing, and they have done well in that department. Mentions that they want to keep the momentum going forward. Informs that there is one change in the side where Mark Adair has come in place of Matthew Forde. Further says that they chased against the LA Knight Riders supremely well in the last game, which they played against each other, and he wants to replicate that kind of performance again. Expects the wicket to remain the same in the second inning and hopes for a wonderful game ahead.

PITCH REPORT - Danny Morrison is pitchside, soaking in the sunshine as the conditions brighten up beautifully. He starts by pointing out that the sun is out in full force, and it’s a perfect day for cricket. Adds to that, he’s joined by Ricky Ponting, who shares a few insights about the surface and the ground conditions. Mentions that there's a shorter boundary on one side, which could tempt the batters to target that area more often, and the pitch itself looks like a belter for batting. States that the curator deserves praise for preparing such a quality surface, one that promises a high-scoring affair. Further adds that it’s a bit on the drier side today, which could bring the spinners into play as the match progresses, but overall, it looks like a wicket that will stay fair and consistent throughout. Talks about how in T20 cricket, teams generally prefer to chase, and that could be the trend today as well. Ricky also chimes in about how encouraging it is to see cricket growing in the USA, and he's impressed by how the local and international players are adapting, learning quickly, and shaping up impressively in this environment.

Los Angeles Knight Riders (Playing XI) - Unmukt Chand (WK), Andre Fletcher, Saif Badar, Sherfane Rutherford, Rovman Powell, Andre Russell, Jason Holder (C), Shadley van Schalkwyk, Matthew Tromp, Tanveer Sangha, Ali Khan.

Washington Freedom (Playing XI) - Mitchell Owen, Rachin Ravindra, Andries Gous (WK), Glenn Maxwell (C), Mukhtar Ahmed, Glenn Phillips, Jack Edwards, Obus Pienaar, Ian Holland, Mark Adair, Saurabh Netravalkar.