Seattle Orcas vs San Francisco Unicorns Match Highlights & Results

Right then, that is it from this entertaining game where San Francisco Unicorns remain unbeaten while Seattle Orcas remain winless. The action in the MLC 2025 continues on Friday, 27th June, where LA Knight Riders take on the Washington Freedom at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium. That will begin at 12 am GMT, but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Matthew Short, the victorious skipper of San Francisco Unicorns, starts by saying that it feels nice to become the first team to qualify for the playoffs. Says that the boys are in good spirits and they’ve had a fantastic start to the tournament overall. Adds to that, in the last few games, they’ve really played to their strengths and shown what they’re capable of, but today just felt slightly off the mark. Mentions that the lack of a solid partnership through the innings hurt them, and that made the difference. States that Romario Shepherd’s knock was a real game-changer, with his power-hitting proving to be the defining moment. Further adds that despite the pressure, the bowlers deserve a lot of credit for sticking to their plans and continuing to deliver good balls under tough circumstances. Talks about how the team now has a short break, and with a couple of days off, there’s going to be plenty of golf and time to reset before they move on to the next challenge.

Romario Shepherd is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his all-round brilliance. He says that the coach told him to take his time at that stage as there were a lot of overs left. Adds that he loves batting, and hitting sixes is his favourite part of it. Says that he was trying to respect the good deliveries as Gerald Coetzee was bowling fast, and then targeted the final overs. Mentions that the training and atmosphere around the team are pretty great, and he is not surprised by the results.

Presentation Time...

The captain of the Seattle Orcas, Heinrich Klaasen, starts by saying that they might have given 10 to 15 runs extra, but overall, they were still quite satisfied with the target they had after the first inning, and they should have chased it down. Adds to that, in this fast-paced format, it’s never easy to build consistent form, and the key is to keep playing with intent and positivity. Mentions that at times, things just don’t click, as they keep finding fielders or getting out in unfortunate ways. States that staying mentally strong and positive is important, and they believe the tide will eventually turn in their favour. Further adds that there are a couple of players in the squad who had been under the radar earlier due to limited exposure, which is probably why they missed out on initial chances, but they’re now stepping up with an aggressive mindset and providing strong starts. Talks about how the team still sees themselves in contention for a playoff spot, and they’re banking on winning their remaining matches while hoping for favourable results from other teams to stay in the hunt.

Last season’s finalists, San Francisco Unicorns, are once again proving to be a formidable force this time around. With six wins from six games, they remain unbeaten and look nearly unstoppable. Although they were under the pump early on, taking some serious punishment in the Powerplay, they never lost belief and kept themselves in the contest. Romario Shepherd broke the opening stand to give them a much-needed breakthrough, before the skipper, Matthew Short, took matters into his own hands, weaving a brilliant spell to claim three crucial wickets. Haris Rauf then ripped through the lower order with a four-wicket haul, and it was Xavier Bartlett who applied the finishing touches for the table-toppers.

Earlier in the game, San Francisco Unicorns got off to a flying start, thanks to a blazing half-century from Matthew Short and a solid contribution by Jake Fraser-McGurk. They looked set for a massive total, but a sudden middle-order collapse derailed their momentum. Fortunately for them, Romario Shepherd’s explosive fifty rescued the innings and helped them post a competitive score. For Seattle Orcas, Gerald Coetzee and Harmeet Singh stood out with the ball, while Cameron Gannon and Obed McCoy chipped in with a wicket apiece.

Seattle Orcas got off to a blistering start in the chase, with Shayan Jahangir taking the attack to the bowlers right from the outset. He hammered a quick 40 off just 22 balls, while David Warner played the supporting role in a solid 66-run opening partnership. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, but the momentum shifted dramatically once Jahangir was dismissed. From 66/0, the Orcas suddenly found themselves reeling at 73/4. Shimron Hetmyer and Sujit Nayak tried to steady the innings and offered some resistance, with Hettie scoring a brisk 30 off 16. However, as the required rate kept climbing, they too fell, and once again, the chase slipped out of Seattle’s grasp, ultimately getting bundled out for 144.

SAN FRANCISCO UNICORNS ARE IN THE PLAYOFFS! They’ve become the first team this season to secure a spot in the knockouts, and we’re only halfway through the league. That speaks volumes about their consistency and ability to find a way, even in tough games like this one. On the other hand, it's more heartbreak for the Seattle Orcas, who just can’t seem to turn things around. Their winless run now stretches to 10 matches, carrying over from last season, and the wait for a breakthrough continues.

Xavier Bartlett to Jasdeep Singh, OUT! c Matthew Short b Xavier Bartlett.OUT! CAUGHT! Another excellent catch by the skipper of San Francisco Unicorns, and they have qualified for the playoffs, becoming the first team to do so in MLC 2025. A slower delivery, short and outside off, Jasdeep Singh backs away and looks to go over covers for a big lofted shot. He gets deceived by the lack of pace on it, and the ball goes high in the air towards extra cover, where Matthew Short runs backwards and puts in a dive forward to grab another stunning catch. San Francisco Unicorns win by 32 runs.

Xavier Bartlett to Jasdeep Singh, Four!FOUR! Boundary amidst the chaos for Orcas! Full and around off, Jasdeep Singh clears out his front leg away and thumps it over the bowler's head for a boundary.

Obed McCoy is the last man in.

Haris Rauf to Cameron Gannon, OUT! c Brody Couch b Haris Rauf.OUT! CAUGHT! Another good catch from Unicorns, and Haris Rauf picks up his fourth wicket of the night as he ends his spell with the figures of 4-0-32-4. Bowls it a bit fuller and around middle and leg, Cameron Gannon backs away and looks to loft it down the ground, but the ball follows him, and he gets cramped up for room. Ends up mistiming it in the air towards wide long on, where Brody Couch runs forward to his right a bit and pouches it by making a dive low just above the ground.

Haris Rauf to Cameron Gannon, 2 runs.Another slower delivery, full and outside off, Gannon squeezes it towards deep backward point for a couple of runs.

Haris Rauf to Cameron Gannon, No run.BEATEN! Takes the pace off, does Rauf and bowls it a bit fuller, just outside off, Cameron Gannon gets surprised and plays his shot a bit early and misses it.

Haris Rauf to Cameron Gannon, Four!EDGED AND FOUR! Hard length and around off, Cameron Gannon remains deep in his crease and swings hard at it as he goes for downtown. Gets a big outside edge that goes to the right of the keeper for a boundary.

Haris Rauf to Jasdeep Singh, 1 run.Back of a length and over off, Jasdeep Singh punches it towards extra cover for one.

Haris Rauf to Cameron Gannon, Leg bye.Leg bye! Hard length and around leg, Cameron Gannon misses his flick shot and gets hit on the thigh pads. The ball rolls away beside the pitch on the leg side and the batters take a leg bye.

Romario Shepherd to Cameron Gannon, 1 run.On the pads, Gannon flicks it to deep backward square leg for a single off the inner half of the bat. Seattle Orcas need 45 off the last three.

Romario Shepherd to Jasdeep Singh, 1 run.In the stumps, drilled it past the bowler down the ground for a single by Jasdeep.

Romario Shepherd to Jasdeep Singh, No run.Bowls it fuller and outside off, Singh pushes it towards cover.

Romario Shepherd to Cameron Gannon, 1 run.Goes fuller and outside off, Cameron Gannon drills it to long on for one.

Romario Shepherd to Jasdeep Singh, 1 run.On the shorter side and outside off, Jasdeep Singh drops it down towards cover for a single.

Jasdeep Singh comes out to the middle now.

Romario Shepherd to Harmeet Singh, OUT! c Sanjay Krishnamurthi b Romario Shepherd.OUT! CAUGHT! A stunner from Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Orcas lose their eighth as they are getting on the verge of bundling out. Romario bowls a back-of-a-length delivery, seems to be a slower one, around the chest of the batter. Harmeet Singh swivels and looks to pull it as he goes to clear out the deep square leg fence. He doesn't get the desired distance and the ball skews up high in the air towards deep square leg, where Sanjay moves to his left a bit and plucks out this high catch.

Haris Rauf to Harmeet Singh, 1 run.Full and outside off, Harmeet Singh pushes it towards mid on and takes a single.

Harmeet Singh walks out to bat now.

Haris Rauf to Shimron Hetmyer, OUT! c Matthew Short b Haris Rauf.OUT! CAUGHT! Haris Rauf has nearly sealed the game as the last recognised batter, Shimron Hetmyer is gone, and he can't believe what he has done here, falls over in disbelief. A fuller-length delivery, outside off, in the slot, Hetmyer comes forward and drives it hard towards cover. He almost nailed it off the middle of the bat, but doesn't get the desired elevation and goes in the hands of Matthew Short at covers, who won't be missing out on anything today. Orcas lose their seventh and Rauf picks up his third.

Haris Rauf to Shimron Hetmyer, 2 runs.An off-cutter, full and down leg, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it towards deep backward square leg for a couple of runs.

Haris Rauf to Cameron Gannon, 1 run.Run-out chance missed! Fuller and around off, Cameron Gannon pushes it towards the right of the bowler and sets off for a single. Hassan Khan from mid-wicket runs in to his left and collects the ball quickly before throwing it to the bowling end, but he misses. Could have been a curtains for Gannon if he would have hit it.

Strategic Break! Just when Seattle Orcas were finding a bit of momentum, they have been pegged back again. However, Shimron Hetmyer is still out there, and he will need to stay till the end if they want to grab their first points of this season. San Francisco Unicorns have been excellent with the ball, and they know that if they can just get rid of Hettie, they will get over the line here. Also, Cameron Gannon is the next man in.

Haris Rauf to Gerald Coetzee, OUT! b Haris Rauf.OUT! KNOCKED HIM OVER! Haris Rauf has the last laugh, and he is pumped up! Bowls it on a hard length and over the top of the off stump, Gerald Coetzee stays leg side of the ball again to access the off side and looks to punch it towards cover. He gets beaten by the extreme pace of Rauf and also plays the wrong line. The ball beats the outside edge of the bat and rattles the off stump. Seattle Orcas lose their sixth, still needing 53 runs in 28 balls.

Haris Rauf to Gerald Coetzee, Six!SIX! WOAH! GLORIOUS! Fuller, in the slot, around leg, Gerald Coetzee stays leg side of the ball and shows the full face of the bat to loft it down the ground over the bowler's head for a biggie.

Xavier Bartlett to Shimron Hetmyer, Six!SIX! Just over! A full toss, on leg, Shimron Hetmyer picks it up and flicks it, but gets more height than distance. The ball flies towards deep square leg, where Sanjay Krishnamurthi jumps and tries to grab it with his extended right hand to save the six, but just parries it over for a biggie. 18 runs off the over!

Xavier Bartlett to Shimron Hetmyer, 2 runs.Xavier Bartlett bowls a good yorker here, on leg, Shimron Hetmyer jams it out towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Xavier Bartlett to Shimron Hetmyer, Four!FOUR MORE! Hard length and on middle and leg, Shimron Hetmyer throws everything at it, gets an inside edge that races away through backward square leg for another boundary.

Xavier Bartlett to Shimron Hetmyer, Four!FOUR! Nice shot! Goes fuller and around off, takes pace off, Shimron Hetmyer leans onto his drive nicely and creams it through covers for a boundary.

Xavier Bartlett to Gerald Coetzee, 1 run.Back of a length and on middle, Gerald Coetzee swats it to long on for a single.

Xavier Bartlett to Shimron Hetmyer, 1 run.On a length and on leg, Shimron Hetmyer flicks it to deep square leg for a single.

Matthew Short to Gerald Coetzee, No run.Flatter, full and on leg, Gerald Coetzee turns it to the leg side. Short ends an incredible spell with figures of 4-0-12-3.

Matthew Short to Gerald Coetzee, No run.Short and on middle, Gerald Coetzee pats it back to the bowler.

Gerald Coetzee is the new batter in.

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, OUT! c Brody Couch b Matthew Short.OUT! TAKEN! Matthew Short has three now! He is doing everything for his team! Tossed up nicely, full and on middle, turns away slightly. Sujit Nayak goes inside out to slog it away but gets beaten on the flight and only manages a top edge. The ball goes high in the air towards long off, and while it is in the air, Short starts celebrating. Brody Couch runs forward and dives in to grab it. The ball pops up, but he manages to hold on to it on the second attempt. SO lose half their side now!

Matthew Short to Shimron Hetmyer, 1 run.Floated, full and on middle, Shimron Hetmyer drills it to long on for a run. 100 up for Seattle Orcas!

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, 1 run.Short again and outside off, Sujit Nayak cuts it through cover-point for a single.

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, No run.Run out chance...missed! Short and around off, Sujit Nayak punches it wide of extra covers and sets off for the run. Hettie is caught ball-watching and sends his partner back very late. Hassan Khan dives to make a great stop, but the ball just rolls away from him. He picks up and throws it to the keeper, but it is a bit wide, and Nayak gets back home.

Brody Couch to Sujit Nayak, Leg bye.Much fuller and down the leg, Sujit Nayak misses his flick as the ball goes off his pads towards backward point. Another leg bye.

Brody Couch to Sujit Nayak, No run.On a length and on middle, Sujit Nayak pats it to the left of the bowler.

Brody Couch to Shimron Hetmyer, 1 run.Full and around leg, takes pace off, Shimron Hetmyer looks to clip it away but gets an inside edge onto his pads as the ball lobs up towards square leg. Leg bye taken.

Brody Couch to Shimron Hetmyer, Four!FOUR! Put away! Bangs this into the pitch, on middle, does not bounce that much. Shimron Hetmyer is able to get on top of it and heaves it to the deep square leg fence for another boundary.

Brody Couch to Sujit Nayak, 1 run.Back of a length and on leg, Sujit Nayak nudges it through mid-wicket for a run.

Brody Couch to Sujit Nayak, Four!FOUR! Fine shot! Short of a length but down the leg side, Sujit Nayak swivels and just helps it on its way to the fine leg fence for a much-needed boundary.

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, 1 run.Floated, full and on leg, Sujit Nayak works it to deep mid-wicket for one more.

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, No run.Flighted, full and on off, Sujit Nayak bunts it back to the bowler.

Matthew Short to Shimron Hetmyer, 1 run.Drags his length back, outside off, Shimron Hetmyer cuts it to deep point for one.

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, 1 run.Short again and around off, Sujit Nayak stabs it past extra covers for another run.

Matthew Short to Shimron Hetmyer, 1 run.Goes short and on middle, Shimron Hetmyer punches it to long off for a run.

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, 1 run.Tossed up, full and on middle, Sujit Nayak drills it to long on for a single.

Romario Shepherd to Sujit Nayak, 1 run.Uppish but safe! Romario Shepherd bangs in a sharp bouncer, on middle, Sujit Nayak gets hurried onto his pull and takes his eyes off. He mistimes his shot in the air but towards the vacant mid-wicket region for one more.

Romario Shepherd to Sujit Nayak, No run.Touch fuller and on middle, Sujit Nayak drives it to mid off.

Romario Shepherd to Shimron Hetmyer, 1 run.On a length and on middle, Shimron Hetmyer clips it through square leg for a run.

Romario Shepherd to Sujit Nayak, 1 run.Short of a length and in middle, Sujit Nayak pulls it to deep mid-wicket for a single.

Romario Shepherd to Sujit Nayak, 2 runs.Back of a length and on middle, Sujit Nayak tucks it with soft hands towards mid-wicket and comes back for the second run.

Romario Shepherd to Sujit Nayak, No run.Bangs in a bouncer, on middle and leg, Sujit Nayak ducks under it.

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, 1 run.Much fuller and outside off, Nayak leans on and drives it to long off for one. The Seattle Orcas are 77/4 at the halfway point of the inning, needing 100 more runs in the last ten overs.

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, No run.Tossed it up and around off, Sujit Nayak drives it off the outer half of the bat to backward point off the front foot.

Matthew Short to Shimron Hetmyer, 1 run.Again, full and on the pads, Hetmyer flicks it to deep fine leg for a single.

Matthew Short to Sujit Nayak, 1 run.On the pads, nudged it to deep fine leg for one by Nayak.

Matthew Short to Shimron Hetmyer, 1 run.Nagging length and around off, Hettie punches it to long on for one.

Matthew Short to Shimron Hetmyer, No run.Quicker, short and outside off, Shimron Hetmyer pats it down towards short third.

Haris Rauf to Sujit Nayak, No run.Nagging length and around off, Nayak drops it down towards mid off.

Haris Rauf to Sujit Nayak, No run.A yorker, around off, Sujit Nayak digs it out towards cover.

Strategic Break! Seattle Orcas were cruising at the end of the Powerplay, but now they find themselves in a spot of bother in a matter of a couple of overs. The whole top order is gone, and the bulk of responsibility now falls on the shoulders of Shimron Hetmyer. San Francisco Unicorns have roared back in this game through their skipper's double-wicket over, and with the others also finding rhythm at the right time. An exciting phase of cricket awaits us. Also, Sujit Nayak walks out to bat now.

Haris Rauf to Heinrich Klaasen, OUT! c Romario Shepherd b Haris Rauf.OUT! STRAIGHT TO THE FIELDER! Haris Rauf has his man, and the skipper departs for Orcas! Rauf is pumped up as he knows how big of wicket this is. Bowls it on a hard length and around off, Heinrich Klaasen stands tall and swipes it across the line nonchalantly. He connects well but plays it too flat towards deep mid-wicket. Probably, he hasn't got the desired elevation as the ball is too close to his body, and Romario Shepherd moves to his right a bit in the deep and takes this sharp catch before tumbling down on the ground. The poor form of Klaasen continues, and this is a worrying sign for Orcas as they have slipped from a commanding position of 66/0 to 73/4 in a matter of a couple of overs.

Haris Rauf to Heinrich Klaasen, No run.Back of a length and around off, Heinrich Klaasen hops back and punches it but straight to cover.

Haris Rauf to Heinrich Klaasen, No run.Nagging length and around off, Klaasen drops it down towards cover.

Haris Rauf to Heinrich Klaasen, Six!SIX! JUST OVER! On a good length and down leg, Heinrich Klaasen picks it up and flicks it on its way towards deep fine leg and clears the leaping fielder there for a biggie.

Shimron Hetmyer is the next man in.

Matthew Short to Kyle Mayers, OUT! b Matthew Short.OUT! BOWLED'EM! The skipper, Matthew Short, has turned the game on its head as he picks up his second wicket and Kyle Mayers is gone for a duck. Bowls it on the shorter side and keeps it into the stumps line, Kyle presses back and looks to cut it, but the ball is too close to his body and he misses the line of the ball. It goes through the gate and rattles the middle stump. All of a sudden, after the Powerplay, the Orcas are slipping a bit in this chase.

Matthew Short to Kyle Mayers, No run.Dragged length and outside off, Kyle Mayers moves across a bit and keeps it out towards backward point.

Matthew Short to Heinrich Klaasen, 1 run.Keeps it shorter and around middle, Heinrich Klaasen knocks it down to long on for one.

Matthew Short to Heinrich Klaasen, No run.Flatter, full and around off, Klaasen blocks it out.

Matthew Short to Heinrich Klaasen, No run.Nagging length and around leg, Heinrich Klaasen nudges it to short fine.

Skipper Heinrich Klaasen comes out to the middle now.

Matthew Short to David Warner, OUT! lbw b Matthew Short.OUT! LBW! Excellent review from Matthew Short as they have got rid of David Warner. On a fuller length and around leg, angling in, David Warner changes his stance and looks to reverse switch-hit it, but he misses. The ball clips his front pad and goes to roll away towards short third. The batters run for a leg bye, but Short appeals for LBW and the umpire shakes his head. He talks to the keeper and reviews here. UltraEdge shows nothing, and Ball Tracking comes up with three reds. Warner will have to go back as the on-field umpire changes his decision.

Is that out? This is a close LBW decision given not out on-field. Matthew Short takes the review after having a chat with his players. UltraEdge confirms no bat involved, and Ball Tracking shows three reds. Good review!

Romario Shepherd to Kyle Mayers, No run.Greets Mayers with a bouncer, angling into the body, Kyle gets surprised and looks to duck, but the ball comes quickly as he would have expected. Goes over his bending shoulders.

Kyle Mayers walks out to bat at number 3.

Romario Shepherd to Shayan Jahangir, OUT! b Romario Shepherd.OUT! DRAGGED ON! The magic man for San Francisco Unicorns, Romario Shepherd, has picked up the first wicket, and the dangerous-looking Shayan Jahangir is gone. Bowls it on a hard length and touch outside off, gets it skid off the surface. Shayan is a bit early in his shot as he goes to swat it down the ground. He loses his shape and balance and gets an inside edge that goes back and rattles the middle stump. Big wicket for Unicorns!

Romario Shepherd to David Warner, 1 run.Outside off and fuller, Warner guides it towards short third and takes a quick single. The fielder collects to his right and throws it to the striker's end but misses.

Romario Shepherd to David Warner, Four!FOUR! THRASHED! Back of a length and around off, David Warner presses back, gets on the top of the bounce and pulls it over towards the deep square leg fence for a boundary.

Romario Shepherd to Shayan Jahangir, 1 run.On a good length and well outside off, Shayan throws his hands at it and cuts it to deep point for one.

Romario Shepherd to David Warner, 1 run.Hard length and around off, David Warner swipes it off the inner half of the bat to short fine and Shayan Jahangir calls for a single. They complete it despite the fielder throwing the ball towards the keeper's end.

Romario Shepherd comes into the attack now.

Brody Couch to David Warner, 1 run.Seattle Orcas end the Powerplay with 59/0. Full and around off, David Warner drills it towards extra cover and gets a single.

Brody Couch to Shayan Jahangir, 1 run.Lands it full and around off, Shayan Jahangir remains deep in his crease and looks to go downtown but mistimes it off the cue end of the bat to deep mid-wicket for one only.

Brody Couch to David Warner, 1 run.A slower one, full and outside off, Warner shuffles across and pushes it towards extra cover for one.

Brody Couch to David Warner, No run.Back of a length and around off, David miscues his pull shot straight to mid on.

Brody Couch to David Warner, No run.Nagging length and around off, swatted straight to mid-wicket now by Warner.

Brody Couch to David Warner, 2 runs.Hard length and around off, David Warner swipes it across towards mid-wicket, where the fielder dives to his left and gets his right hand on it. The ball rolls away towards deep mid-wicket and Warner picks two runs.