In a series of surprising events, LA Knight Riders have won their first-ever Major League Cricket (MLC) title by defeating Steve Smith's Washington Freedom in the summit clash on July 19 at the Oakland Coliseum. While defending a modest target of 165 runs, Jason Holder-led side displayed a great bowling effort to seal the first MLC title in franchise's history.
First title for LAKR
Winning the toss, Washington Freedom skipper Steve Smith opted to bowl first against LAKR. The opening duo of Colin Munro (40 off 29 balls) and Andre Fletcher (47 off 27 balls) kicked off the innings in a fiery fashion with their attacking knocks before losing their wickets. Coming to bat at No.3 Andre Russell could not bank on the strong base provided by the openers, as he endured a two-ball duck. However, Matthew Tromp tried to put some fight with his attacking knock of 39 runs off just 21 deliveries, hitting three boundaries and three sixes.
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After Tromp's dismissal, no one from LAKR could contribute much with the bat, as they were bundled out on 164 runs. From Freedom, Ben Dwarshuis emerged as the top bowler, as he finished the innings the figures of 3/32 in four overs.
Big fightback from LAKR
In response, Washington Freedom endured a horrific start. The opening duo of Mitchell Owen and skipper Steve Smith got out on cheap scores of 9 off 8 and 8 off 13 deliveries. Star all-rounder Rachin Ravindra could not create much impact despite having a big chance to play a match winning knock, as he departed after scoring 7 runs.
In the middle-order, Andries Gous (40 off 35) and Nikhil Chaudhary (25 off24) tried to hold the fort for Freedom but both of them were removed by LAKR skipper Jason Holder. Everything seemed to be in control for LAKR before Obus Pienaar almost pulled off an impossible job with his marvelous knock off 53 runs off just 24 deliveries, hitting three fours and five boundaries.
After Pienaar's dismissal, Freedom lost the entire momentum and LAKR's Shadley van Schalkwyk successfully defended the 15 runs in the last over and sealed the game by one run.