Matthew Short's unbeaten 121 goes in vain as Washington Freedom edge San Francisco Unicorns to book MLC final spot
Washington Freedom held their nerve in the last few overs to beat San Francisco Unicorns by seven runs in Eliminator 2 of Major League Cricket ( MLC ) on Friday, setting up a final against LA Knight Riders on Sunday (IST).
Defending 238, Freedom looked under pressure when San Francisco captain Matthew Short produced an unbeaten 121 off 56 balls, but Saurabh Netravalkar and Mitchell Owen closed out the game with disciplined final overs to deny the Unicorns a place in the title clash.
Freedom had elected to bat first and made the most of a strong start from their top order.
Mitchell Owen struck 42 off 19 balls, while captain Steven Smith added 43 off 20 as the opening pair powered the side to 83/1 in the Powerplay. Andries Gous then anchored the innings with 73 off 40 deliveries, hitting eight fours and three sixes.
Rachin Ravindra chipped in with 28 from just 14 balls as Freedom finished with 238/6 from their 20 overs.
Xavier Bartlett was the pick of the Unicorns bowlers, taking 3 for 38 in his four overs.
San Francisco's chase got off to a poor start as both openers fell early. Lhuan-dre Pretorius made 18 off 10 balls before departing, while Finn Allen managed 14 off nine.
That left Short to carry the innings almost on his own. The skipper hit 11 fours and eight sixes during his unbeaten 121, keeping the required rate within reach despite wickets falling regularly at the other end.
Defending 238, Freedom looked under pressure when San Francisco captain Matthew Short produced an unbeaten 121 off 56 balls, but Saurabh Netravalkar and Mitchell Owen closed out the game with disciplined final overs to deny the Unicorns a place in the title clash.
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Freedom had elected to bat first and made the most of a strong start from their top order.
Mitchell Owen struck 42 off 19 balls, while captain Steven Smith added 43 off 20 as the opening pair powered the side to 83/1 in the Powerplay. Andries Gous then anchored the innings with 73 off 40 deliveries, hitting eight fours and three sixes.
Rachin Ravindra chipped in with 28 from just 14 balls as Freedom finished with 238/6 from their 20 overs.
Xavier Bartlett was the pick of the Unicorns bowlers, taking 3 for 38 in his four overs.
San Francisco's chase got off to a poor start as both openers fell early. Lhuan-dre Pretorius made 18 off 10 balls before departing, while Finn Allen managed 14 off nine.
That left Short to carry the innings almost on his own. The skipper hit 11 fours and eight sixes during his unbeaten 121, keeping the required rate within reach despite wickets falling regularly at the other end.
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