[Watch] Jake Fraser-McGurk mimics Steve Smith to perfection during MLC 2024
Australian swashbuckling batter Jake Fraser-McGurk mimicked Steve Smith’s batting style to perfection during the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024. This came as San Francisco Unicorns players were seen imitating Washington Freedom captain Steve in a video released on Friday, July 26.
Notably, Smith has one of the most unorthodox batting stances. Very few players keep their bat in the air other than traditional batters, who keep their bat grounded. Smith is considered one of the best players of the modern era and part of the Fab Four alongside Virat Kohli, Kane Williamson, and Joe Root.
Sharing the video on X, MLC’s official handle wrote:
“Who had the best Steve Smith impression?”
Watch the clip below:
Steve Smith has led by example in the ongoing MLC 2024. The right-handed batter is the third-highest run-getter with 247 runs in seven innings at a strike rate of 144.44 with the help of two fifties and as many forties. The 35-year-old is only behind Travis Head (250 runs) and Faf du Plessis (375).
Steve Smith’s Washington Freedom beat San Francisco Unicorns to reach MLC 2024 Final
A clinical all-round display helped Washington Freedom beat San Francisco Unicorns by seven wickets in the qualifiers to reach the MLC 2024 final.
Asked to bat first, Unicorns were bundled out for 145 in 19 overs. Hassan Khan starred with the bat, scoring 57 runs off 36 balls with the aid of six maximums. Captain Corey Anderson also chipped in with 26 off 19 deliveries.
Rachin Ravindra emerged as the leading wicket-taker for Washington Freedom, returning with excellent figures of 4/11 in just 2.4 overs. Marco Jansen and Saurabh Netravalkar also bagged three and two wickets, respectively.
In response, Washington achieved the target with 4.3 overs to spare. Travis Head top scored with an unbeaten 77 off 44, hitting three sixes and 10 boundaries. Glenn Maxwell stayed unbeaten on 54 off 23, including five sixes and four boundaries. The duo shared an unbeaten 85-run partnership for the fourth wicket to take their team over the line. Meanwhile, Hassan Khan and Pat Cummins returned with two and one wickets, respectively, for Unicorns.
Steve Smith and company will next face the winner of the MLC 2024 Challenger between the San Francisco Unicorns and Texas Super Kings in the summit clash. The Challengers and final will be played at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Friday (July 26) and Sunday (July 28), respectively.