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In a thrilling climax to the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024, the Washington Freedom emerged triumphant, defeating the San Francisco Unicorns in a one-sided final. The match played at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, was marked by a dramatic moment when a beamer nearly caused chaos, but it was the Freedom’s overall dominance that sealed their fate as champions.
The victory capped off a remarkable campaign for the Freedom, who consistently showcased their prowess throughout the tournament. Their combination of star power, balanced squad, and clinical execution proved to be too much for their opponents.
The Washington Freedom cruised to a comprehensive 96-run victory over the San Francisco Unicorns in the tournament. The match was highlighted by a shocking incident involving Juanoy Drysdale and Steve Smith, but it was Washington’s overall dominance that stole the show.
Juanoy Drysdale’s beamer rocks Steve Smith
The 13th over of the San Francisco Unicorns’ innings witnessed a heart-stopping moment. Drysdale, aiming for a yorker to unsettle the well-set Smith, lost control of the delivery.
The ball rocketed towards Smith, who had shuffled across the crease in anticipation. Fortunately, Smith escaped serious injury as Josh Inglis, the wicketkeeper, could only manage a partial save.
The delivery, rightfully called a no-ball, served as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with beamers in cricket.
Here’s the video:
Oops! Don't think he meant to bowl that one there. 🤔 #MLC2024 | #CognizantMajorLeagueCricket | #T20 | #MLCChampionship pic.twitter.com/mCEs3jPGud
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 29, 2024
Washington Freedom batting: A masterclass by Smith
Washington Freedom set the tone for a convincing victory with a strong batting performance. The lynchpin of their innings was the ever-reliable Australian batter, who anchored the innings with a magnificent 88 runs. Smith’s knock was a display of class and composure, and he played a pivotal role in guiding his team to a formidable total.
Valuable contributions came from Glenn Maxwell, who chipped in with a brisk 40 runs. The rest of the Washington Freedom batting lineup played their part, ensuring a strong foundation for their bowlers to defend.
Also WATCH: Corey Anderson’s remarkable catch to dismiss Faf Du Plessis in MLC 2024
San Francisco Unicorns crumble under pressure
Chasing a mammoth target of 208 runs, the San Francisco Unicorns batting lineup faltered under the pressure. Their batters struggled to cope with the Washington Freedom bowling attack, which displayed exceptional discipline and accuracy.
The bowling trio of Rachin Ravindra, Marco Jansen, and Andrew Tye shared the spoils, each picking up three crucial wickets. The San Francisco Unicorns were eventually bundled out for a meagre 111 runs, falling short of the target by a massive 96 runs.
