Defending champions MI New York suffered their third defeat in five games of the MLC 2024 season, losing by 94 runs to the undefeated Washington Freedom at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. Led by Travis Head's powerful innings, Washington Freedom posted 182 runs before dismantling MI New York’s batting lineup for just 88 runs in 13.3 overs. This victory, their fourth in five games, guaranteed Freedom a place in the playoffs.
The only highlight for MI New York was winning the toss, with Kieron Pollard opting to bowl first. Despite a slow start with just 22 runs in three overs, Freedom accelerated when Head hit Trent Boult for a four and a six. Although Rashid Khan managed to dismiss Steve Smith, limiting Freedom to 45 runs in the PowerPlay, Head’s explosive batting soon took over. He struck three boundaries off Nostush Kenjige and followed it with a six and a four off Ehsan Adil, reaching a half-century in 28 balls. Andries Gous, initially slow, picked up pace, hitting Rashid for two sixes as Freedom reached 100 runs by the 11th over.
MI New York briefly regained control when Romario Shepherd dismissed Head for 54, and Rashid removed Glenn Maxwell for 15. Despite this, Freedom scored 45 runs in the final three overs, thanks to Rachin Ravindra's quick-fire 31 off 14 balls and Gous’s solid 59 off 48. The innings ended with Freedom at 182, a daunting target on a pitch favouring seamers.
MI New York’s chase faltered from the start, with their top six batsmen scoring 0, 3, 4, 2, 4, and 4 respectively. They were reduced to 25 for 5 after the PowerPlay, with Jasdeep Singh taking his third wicket by dismissing Pollard, making it 25 for 6. Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, and Glenn Maxwell each claimed two wickets, leaving only Romario Shepherd’s 25 to provide some resistance in an otherwise dismal batting display.
Brief Scores
Washington Freedom 182/6 in 20 overs (Travis Head 54, Andries Gous 59; Kieron Pollard 2-14) defeated MI New York 88 in 13.3 overs (Jasdeep Singh 3-14, Marco Jansen 2-18) by 94 runs.