3 reasons why Washington Freedom are favorites to win MLC 2024 title
Washington Freedom have been the most dominant team in MLC 2024 so far. Playing in the second edition of Major League Cricket, Washington have recorded four wins in five matches, while their game against the Texas Super Kings ended with no-result.
The decision to sign Steve Smith and appoint him as the captain has proven to be a masterstroke for Washington Freedom. Smith has been a successful leader in the past, leading Rising Pune Supergiant to the IPL 2017 final.
The Australian batter has done a phenomenal job as Washington's skipper, and here are three reasons why he may lift the Major League Cricket trophy on July 28 in Dallas.
#1 Washington Freedom have the Australian mindset in their squad in MLC 2024
Over the years, Australian cricketers have proven themselves as clutch players in big matches. Travis Head, who smashed centuries for Australia in the World Test Championship final 2023 and ODI World Cup final 2023, has done a great job at the top of the order for Washington.
Head has received fine support from Glenn Maxwell, who has won multiple ICC trophies with Australia. Besides, the presence of Steve Smith as captain will benefit the team a lot in the playoffs.
Australian players know how to step up and deliver the goods when it matters the most. With players like Head, Maxwell and Smith present in the squad, Washington Freedom will be the favorites to dominate in the playoffs and win the MLC 2024 championship.
#2 Washington Freedom's fast bowlers are in top form
It is a popular saying in cricket that batters win you matches, but bowlers win you tournaments. Washington Freedom have a stellar bowling lineup in MLC 2024, featuring the likes of Lockie Ferguson, Saurabh Netravalkar, Marco Jansen, Glenn Maxwell, Rachin Ravindra, Jasdeep Singh, and Akeal Hosein.
Fast bowlers Saurabh Netravalkar and Lockie Ferguson have played a major role in Washington's unbeaten run in MLC 2024. Ferguson, who made history by bowling four maiden overs in a T20 World Cup match last month, is the second-highest wicket-taker in MLC this year with nine scalps.
Meanwhile, Netravalkar has been the most successful bowler in the tournament. With 12 wickets from just four matches, Netravalkar has established himself as a game-changer with the ball for Washington.
#3 Washington have crushed their opponents in MLC 2024 league stage
Last month in T20 World Cup 2024, South Africa made it to the final without losing a single game. However, there were multiple matches, where the Proteas could have ended up on the losing side. Eventually, South Africa lost the final against India, who were also undefeated but played just one close game en route to the summit clash.
Washington have had a similar tournament like India. They have won a match by four runs, one game has ended with no-result, while in the other three matches, they have bulldozed their opponents. In the last game against MI New York, Washington emerged victorious by 94 runs. It shows that Washington are in a league of their own, and they are the favorites to win.