SFU VS SO MATCH 22

Right then, that will be it from us for this contest. Make sure to join in on 2nd July, Wednesday, for Match 23, where the Texas Super Kings will take on the Washington Freedom from the same venue. That game will start at 11.00 pm GMT (previous day). But as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Sikandar Raza, the Seattle Orcas skipper, is up for a chat. Says that they had a belief after the first game where they chased 230-odd against MI New York. Adds that the beauty about it is that they are winning the crunch moments, and Hetmyer is doing a good job for them. Shares that the bowling performance was good, so happy with that, and hopes to sharpen the fielding a little bit. Mentions that the management had to make a few decisions at the halfway stage of the tournament, and they backed it. Closes by saying that they need to play as a professional team.

Shimron Hetmyer is the Player of the Match for his stellar knock. He says that the prayers help him to finish the game. Adds that they need to play according to the situation and execute it well. Mentions that he is trying to access the offside a lot more and trying to hit the ball as per his strength. He tries to ensure that the run-rate does not go above 12, and he adds some energy to his partners to play some strong shots. Closes by saying that he thinks he won the battle against his countryman, Romario Shepherd.

Presentation time...

Matthew Short, the San Francisco Unicorns skipper, is up for a chat. He says that it was a tacky surface and was under the covers for a fair bit. Adds that they didn't bat badly, and the Orcas bowled well towards the end. Mentions that they are learning for the next game and backs Tim Seifert to come good. Closes by saying that the wicket played similarly in the second innings, but it got a bit dewy under lights.

Earlier, the Unicorns posted a competitive total of 168/5 after electing to bat first, thanks to solid contributions from Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Tim Seifert, and Jake Fraser-McGurk. For the Orcas, Ayan Desai and Gerald Coetzee stood out with the ball, keeping the Unicorns from accelerating further. Despite the loss—now their second in a row—the Unicorns remain at the top of the table. The Orcas, meanwhile, gained valuable momentum and two important points in the standings.

The San Francisco Unicorns began impressively with the ball, striking early and maintaining control for much of the match. However, a late-game blitz from Shimron Hetmyer turned the tide, securing a dramatic victory for the Orcas. Xavier Bartlett led the Unicorns’ bowling attack with two wickets, while Liam Plunkett, Hassan Khan, and Romario Shepherd each contributed with one. Brody Couch bowled economically through most of his spell but conceded crucial runs in the final overs, which led to their downfall.

A Shimron Hetmyer special lit up the evening as the Seattle Orcas clinched their third consecutive victory in dramatic fashion. Chasing 169, the Orcas found themselves in deep trouble at 56/4 inside the first ten overs. While Shayan Jahangir offered a steady hand at the top, it was Hetmyer who once again emerged as the match-winner. Displaying nerves of steel and explosive shot-making, Hetmyer stitched together vital partnerships with Heinrich Klaasen and Aaron Jones, before Gerald Coetzee lent support in the final stretch. The Guyanese powerhouse remained unbeaten on a sensational 78 off just 37 deliveries, steering his side home with composure and flair. A stunning chase, a stellar knock—and a reminder that when Hetmyer is in form, the Orcas are never out of the fight.

SHIMRON HETMYER TAKES THE ORCAS HOME! Back of a length delivery, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer cuts it toward the deep backward point region for a couple. The Orcas win by four wickets with three balls to spare.

SIX! COLOSSAL HIT! Pace-off delivery, on a length, outside off. Shimron Hetmyer moves across and smokes it over the wide long-on fence for a massive 102m hit. That should seal the deal for the Orcas.

A dot to start the final over. Slower ball on the full, around off. Shimron Hetmyer looks to drag but gets the inside edge onto the pad. 8 needed off 5 balls.

IN THE AIR AND DROPPED! Back of a length delivery, angling across the batter. Shimron Hetmyer carves it aerially toward the deep cover region. Karima Gore runs in from the boundary, comes forward, and the ball pops out of his palms. 8 needed off the last over.

Low full toss on the leg. Gerald Coetzee turns into the leg side for one.

Slower, back of a length, on off. Shimron Hetmyer mistimes the pull. Lands on the bounce to the deep mid-wicket fielder. Single taken.

FOUR! SMASHED! Short of a good length, around off. Shimron Hetmyer picks this early and hammers it toward the cow corner region. A couple of bounces and into the boundary.

On a length, on off. Gerald Coetzee pulls it to long-on for one.

IN THE AIR BUT LANDS SAFE! Back of a length delivery on off. Shimron Hetmyer miscues the pull toward long-on and falls just in front of the fielder running in.