WF VS LAKR T20S

Alright then, Washington Freedom defeated Los Angeles Knight Riders in a heart-pounding last-ball thriller and walked away with two crucial points. It was a collective chase where every batter chipped in, and despite some nervy moments, they held their nerve to get over the line. With this cracking match done and dusted, the MLC returns on Saturday, 27th June, as Seattle Orcas take on MI New York in Dallas. The action begins at 12 AM GMT, but you know the drill - join us an hour earlier for the pre-match build-up and toss updates. CHEERS! CIAO!

The skipper of Washington Freedom, Glenn Maxwell, steps up for the post-match chat. He starts by saying that his team really fought hard with the ball, showing grit and determination after the opposition got off to a flying start. Adds that, but they managed to pull things back nicely in the middle overs, which made a big difference in controlling the total. Mentions that considering the short boundary on one side, the score they were chasing felt a little under-par, giving them confidence going into the chase. States that it was a pleasing sight to see contributions coming from all around the group, a complete team effort to get over the line. Further adds that Ian Holland has been nothing short of brilliant, not just today but right through the tournament. He couldn’t be prouder of the way Holland has stepped up in key moments. Talks about how while they might go for a few extra runs at times, they have full belief in their all-rounders to close out games. Highlights the composure of players like Glenn Phillips and Obus Pienaar, who bring both experience and calmness to pressure situations. Finally, he acknowledges the brilliance of Andre Russell, stating that even in the final over, he showed his class and put them under serious pressure, proving yet again why he’s such a game-changer.

Mitchell Owen is adjudged the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his quick-fire innings at the top. He says that he is loving it out here. Adds that they always believed that they could chase it down, especially in this wicket. Says that they bowled brilliantly in the death overs, and they have also chased big totals before, so took some inspiration from them. Ends by saying that they knew it was going to be tough, but he is happy that they got over the line.

Time for the Post-Match Presentations...

The skipper of the Los Angeles Knight Riders, Jason Holder, says that he is proud of the way the boys fought. Adds that they were a bit sloppy in the field - otherwise, things could have been different. Says that Andre Fletcher played an outstanding knock, but he lost a bit of momentum, so he thought he and Rovman Powell could inject some momentum by retiring him out. Praises Washington for the way they bowled in the middle and death, but he is also happy to see his team put everything on the field.

Earlier in the first inning, Washington put Los Angeles to bat first after winning the toss. Knight Riders' openers started out with a bang and added 130 runs together, where Andre Fletcher went on to score a century, and there were several other useful batting contributions from the middle order, as they put up a big score of 213/4. The bowlers of Freedom played a chasing game for a long time, but Ian Holland brought them back in the game for a while, and they finished well, giving away not much in the end overs.

Despite putting up a mountain of runs on the board, the Los Angeles Knight Riders will be kicking themselves tonight. Their bowlers, apart from Sangha and Van Schalkwyk, were expensive and inconsistent with their lines. 12 Wides and 2 No Balls handed Washington some freebies in a high-pressure chase. Not just that, their fielding was shocking at times - three crucial drops, including two off Maxwell and another off Owen, turned out to be costly. And to top it off, Jason Holder had a final chance to push the match into a super over, but he dropped off the last ball. Games like these are decided on the smallest details, and the Knight Riders simply gave away too many.

As Ali Khan got rid of Rachin, the skipper Glenn Maxwell and Gous formed a good partnership. Maxi was looking in fine touch as he smashed some breathtaking sixes, but Tanveer Sangha brought the Knight Riders back in the game by striking twice in the same over. The fielding of Los Angeles was not par as they dropped too many chances. Maxwell got a couple of chances, as he was dropped on 18 and 21. Owen dropped on 3, which cost them dearly. When Maxi got out, the match hung in the balance, but Glenn Phillips and Obus Pienaar stitched a good partnership and took their team home.

Chasing a total of 214, Washington needed a quick start, and their openers came out with that intent only. Mitchell Owen just took off the bowlers and blazed some brutal sixes in his quick-fire 43-run innings as he had set up this chase for Freedom. They finished the Powerplay with a score of 73/1. Though Owen got out, Rachin Ravindra and Andries Gous carried on the momentum. They rotated the strike and found timely boundaries.

This was an absolute humdinger of a contest that went down to the very last ball, which we just witnessed! Washington Freedom have stolen this game on the very last ball and clinched their fifth win of the season. A match that had everything from firepower to drama to fielding fumbles, and a final-ball thriller! Freedom chased down a steep target of 214 with nerves of steel, even though the Los Angeles Knight Riders fought tooth and nail to take it till the last delivery. The Knight Riders had their moments, but in a game of fine margins, they slipped when it mattered the most, like the last drop of their skipper Jason Holder.

JASON HOLDER, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE? The LAKR skipper had the chance to force a Super Over here, but he has fluffed it. Andre Russell bowls a low full toss, on middle. Glenn Phillips lofts it hard with power towards mid on. Holder, who is standing well inside the circle, gets both hands on it but lobs it over his head. He then turns back and dives to try and take it with his extended right hand, but it just pops out. He throws the ball to the bowler's end, but by then Phillips has made his ground. Washington Freedom wins a thrilling game by 5 wickets!

Ali Khan is on the ground, as he seems to have hurt himself in throwing the last ball.

Oh..close! Fuller and on off, Obus Pienaar drives it to covers and sets off for the run. Ali Khan collects it quickly but just fails to get his feet sorted and is a bit late to throw it. There was a run out chance. SCORES LEVEL!

Hits the length hard, outside off, shapes away a bit, Obus Pienaar backs away and swings but misses. 2 needed in 2. Things are getting heated now! The replays show that there was an outside edge on it.

Andre Russell bangs in a sharp bouncer now, on middle and off, Obus Pienaar sways away from it. Fair ball, says the umpire. 2 needed in 3 now!

Gets the yorker right this time, on middle, dips in, Obus Pienaar digs it out to the leg side where Dre Russ jumps on it to save the run.

FOUR! Lovely shot! Fuller and on middle, Obus Pienaar makes room by moving to the leg side and crunches it through covers for a boundary. Washington Freedom are just 2 runs away from the win!

More extras! Slower one, full but angling down the leg side, Obus Pienaar misses his flick. Wided. Just one big hit needed now!