[Watch] Andre Russell smashes game-changing maximum straight into sightscreen during LAKR-SOR MLC 2024 clash
Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR) all-rounder Andre Russell produced one of his trademark straight sixes at the closing stages of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 clash against Seattle Orcas (SOR) in Morrisville on Wednesday, July 17. Chasing 143 for victory, LAKR lost their fifth wicket for 120, needing another 23 off 20 deliveries when Russell walked into bat.
The equation became 11 off 11 when the 36-year-old decided to finish proceedings with a six. Russell launched a slower leg-cutter from Cameron Gannon straight onto the sightscreen for a massive six to effectively seal the game.
He was eventually dismissed two balls later for 10 off 7 but the damage had been done with the powerful hit.
Here is a video of Russell's clean strike for a maximum:
LAKR completed the formalities after Russell's dismissal in the first ball of the final over by four wickets. The win kept their playoff hopes alive as they remained in the fourth spot with five points in six outings with a game left in the round-robin stage.
Meanwhile, Russell has been hit-and-miss thus far in the tournament, scoring 94 runs at an average of 23.50 and a strike rate of 159.32 in five outings.
The 36-year-old has also struggled for wicket-taking form with the ball, bagging his lone scalp of the season with figures of 1/15 in four overs in this game.
Russell's all-round performance keeps LAKR in the playoff hunt
LAKR entered the clash against SOR with a win paramount to keep their playoff hopes alive. Russell ensured breaking out of his wicket-taking slump with a sensational spell of 1/15 in 4 overs to restrict SOR to a mediocre 142/6 in 20 overs.
He picked up the wicket of the dangerous Michael Bracewell in the 18th over of the innings to stall SOR's finishing kick. Russell's six then played a crucial role in LAKR winning and breaking their three-game losing streak in completed games.
A win in their final round-robin game against MI New York (MINY) should all but confirm their playoff berth. The two teams meet in Dallas on Sunday, July 21.