5 best performers in Washington Freedom's MLC 2024 title win ft. Steve Smith
Washington Freedom lifted the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 trophy with a 68-run drubbing of San Francisco Unicorns in the final on Sunday, July 28. The Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas hosted this encounter.
The Washington-based side finished at the top of the table with five victories in seven games in the league stage. They then secured a seven-wicket victory over the Unicorns in the Qualifier by seven wickets.
In the final, Washington posted a mammoth total of 207 on the board, with Steve Smith slamming 88 off 52 balls. The Unicorns crumbled under pressure as they were bundled out for 111, with Marco Jansen and Rachin Ravindra taking three wickets each.
On that note, let's take a look at the five best performers of Washington Freedom in the MLC 2024.
#1 Travis Head - 336 runs
Left-handed batter Travis Head has been in sensational form in the limited-overs format in recent years. He came into the MLC 2024 with an impressive IPL and T20 World Cup campaign, where he emerged as the leading run-scorer for his respective team.
Head continued his strong showing in the tournament, ending as the joint-best batter of Washington. He slammed 336 runs at an average of 48 and a strike rate of 173.19. The southpaw delivered his best knock in the Qualifier, smoking 77* off 44 balls.
#2 Steve Smith - 336 runs
The appointment of Steve Smith as Washington's captain was surprising, as he last played a T20 game in February. In fact, Smith was ignored by the selectors for the T20 World Cup and didn't feature in the IPL either.
However, Smith led the team in a superb fashion, eventually helping them secure their maiden MLC title. Apart from his tactical mindset, the veteran batter was the joint-highest run-scorer for the side in the tournament.
Smith amassed 336 runs at a prolific average of 56 and a strike rate of 148.67. He returned with his best knock of 88 off 52 balls in the final, which helped the team post a strong total on the board and win the game easily.
#3 Saurabh Netravalkar - 15 wickets
The stocks of the left-arm pacer certainly increased after he returned as the United States' top bowler in the T20 World Cup. He was expected to be among the key bowlers in the MLC as well.
Netravalkar emerged as the highest-wicket taker in the tournament with 15 scalps at a terrific average of 13.46 and an economy of 7.67. His best figures of 4/35 came against the Los Angeles Knight Riders, helping his team win the match in a convincing manner.
#4 Glenn Maxwell - 153 runs & 10 wickets
The experienced all-rounder had an average T20 World Cup campaign, where he could not break free in crunch moments for Australia. However, Glenn Maxwell brought back his form in the MLC 2024 for Washington.
Maxwell was the best all-round performer for the team with contributions of 153 runs and 10 wickets. He finished with best figures of 3/15 against the Los Angeles Knight Riders and was named Player of the Match. Meanwhile, he slammed 54* off 23 balls in the crucial Qualifier game.
#5 Rachin Ravindra - 99 runs & 12 wickets
Primarily known for his batting skills, Rachin Ravindra was a standout performer with the ball as well. He finished the wicket tally with 12 scalps at an incredible economy of 4.81.
Apart from returning with figures of 3/23 in the final, he returned with two four-fers in the MLC 2024.
The southpaw had a disappointing run with the bat, accumulating just 99 runs at an average of 14.14. However, he finds a presence on this list due to his bowling antics.