Washington Freedom vs San Francisco Unicorns Match Highlights & Results

Right then, that will be it from us for this contest and finally, San Francisco Unicorns have lost one game as Washington Freedom get revenge for that opening day defeat. Next up, there is one more game scheduled at this venue and it will be LA Knight Riders taking on Seattle Orcas in a crucial tie. The Orcas have opted to bowl first in that one and you can switch tabs and straightaway tune in to our coverage. Cheers!

Glenn Maxwell, the skipper of Washington Freedom, says that he was really happy with the score they put on, especially given the position they were in and that is the ease of a deep batting order. Goes on to applaud Pienaar and Mukhtar for their efforts. Reckons that when he went out to bat, he tried to play it like a One Day game and take things deep, but he got out and luckily, Phillips was able to fill that role. Mentions that you need to work out what works on a given wicket and applauds the way Amila Aponso bowled and even the way Owen bowled and is happy to see the qualified tag next to his team's name.

Mitchell Owen wins the Player of the Match award for picking up a five-fer. He says that he is really happy with his performance. He continues that it's performances like these that will boost his morale to bowl better in upcoming matches. He also says that he got a bit lucky for picking a couple of wickets and the pitch was also a bit bowler-friendly as the balls were slowing up after pitching. He ends up saying that he is sticking to the process, but today he got a bit excited seeing his mate Xavier Bartlett bowling to him and wanted to hit him for a six on the first ball.

Presentation time...

Earlier in the game, after winning the toss, the Freedom had a shaky start at 13/3 due to Bartlett's three wickets. But they rose from the difficult situation when Edwards and Phillips added 71 runs, with Phillips scoring a solid fifty. Late contributions from Pienaar and Mukhtar Ahmed helped WF reach 169, including a big finish that saw 33 runs in the last two overs. Xavier Bartlett on the other hand, single-handedly cleared all the top order batters and bagged four wickets in.

Matthew Short, the captain of San Francisco Unicorns, says that after the start with the ball, it was disappointing to see Washington get to that total and they missed out on their execution. Adds that the wicket is a used one and it is tougher for the new batters to get going and they should have taken things down a notch and looked for one big partnership. Reckons that it has been a fine season and there are just a few things they need to work on.

The bowlers executed their plan flawlessly, applying relentless pressure on the opposition by effectively stopping the flow of boundaries. This strategic approach ultimately led to the crucial wicket of the powerful Matthew Short. Credit must be given to Glenn Maxwell's captaincy, his seasoned experience and tactical adjustments to the bowling lineup were absolutely spot on. With the dismissal of the Unicorns' skipper, Washington Freedom's hopes grew stronger with each fallen wicket. Mitchell Owen, the standout performer of the match, delivered a stellar five-wicket haul, while Amila Aponso, Jack Edwards, Rachin Ravindra, and Ian Holland each contributed by taking one wicket, further cementing their dominance on the field. In the death overs, Jahmar Hamilton's knock put us on the edge of our seats. But things didn't turn out as he expected.

What a rollercoaster of a match we just witnessed! Washington Freedom wins the encounter against San Francisco Unicorns by 12 runs! San Francisco Unicorns burst onto the scene with an impressive start, skillfully seizing control of the match, something they've done consistently this season. Skipper Matthew Short once again rose to the occasion, delivering a solid foundation for the innings. He aggressively targeted the pacers, capitalizing on any loose deliveries with confidence. However, the spinners from Washington Freedom showcased their prowess by claiming two crucial wickets in consecutive overs, shifting the momentum back in their favor and applying significant pressure on the Unicorns.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Liam Plunkett, 1 run.That is it, Washington Freedom have done it and they have qualified for the playoffs as well. Another wide yorker, Liam Plunkett jams it out in front of point and picks up a single. WASHINGTON WIN BY 12 RUNS!

Saurabh Netravalkar to Jahmar Hamilton, 1 run.Full and wide, gets it spot-on this time, Hamilton squeezes it away to deep point for a single.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Jahmar Hamilton, Six!SIX! Jahmar Hamilton finishing with a flourish, unfortunately, it doesn't matter now. Full and darted in towards the pads, Hamilton stays very deep in the crease, snaps the wrists and lofts it over long on for a six.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Jahmar Hamilton, Four!FOUR! Gets it through! Full and wide, Jahmar Hamilton hangs back and loads up on the back foot before drilling the drive to the right of cover for a boundary.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Liam Plunkett, 1 run.Hard length over leg, swung away towards deep mid-wicket for a single by Plunkett.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Jahmar Hamilton, 1 run.Full and wide outside off, Jahmar Hamilton slaps the ball straight to covers and sets off for the single. Mitchell Owen has a shy at the bowler's end but misses. Had he hit, Hamilton wasn't even in the frame.

Mitchell Owen to Jahmar Hamilton, 1 run.Full again and outside off, jammed out towards cover for one more.

Mitchell Owen to Liam Plunkett, 1 run.No hat-trick! Full and straight, punched back past the bowler for a single.

Liam Plunkett is the last man in

Mitchell Owen to Brody Couch, OUT! c Andries Gous b Mitchell Owen.OUT! EDGED AND GONE! Mitchell gets a Michelle, the first of MLC 2025. Mitchell Owen bangs this one in on a hard length and bowls it around off. Brody Couch stays leg side of the ball and swings across the line, getting a thick outside edge. Andries Gous takes a sharp catch to his left and Owen becomes just the third player in the history of MLC to take a five-wicket haul, and he's an opening batter, wow.

Brody Couch walks up to the middle

Mitchell Owen to Haris Rauf, OUT! c Glenn Maxwell b Mitchell Owen.OUT! CAUGHT! Mitchell Owen with the golden arm again. Owen tries to go for the wide yorker again and ends up bowling a low full toss. Haris Rauf stays deep in the crease and tries to power it over long off but toe-ends the ball. Glenn Maxwell comes in from the deep and dives forward to take a fine catch. Owen picks up a four-fer!

Mitchell Owen to Jahmar Hamilton, 1 run.Full nd wide, nails it into the blockhole and lands it inside the tramline. Hamilton jams the ball down to mid on and picks up a single.

Mitchell Owen to Jahmar Hamilton, Wide!Wide! Short and wide outside off, a bit too wide for the umpire's liking.

Mitchell Owen to Jahmar Hamilton, 2 runs.Dishes out a full and wide one, Jahmar Hamilton hangs deep and slashes the ball away wide of the deep point fielder and picks up a couple of runs.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Jahmar Hamilton, 1 run.Washington won't mind the singles at this stage. Slips in another perfect wide yorker and Hamilton can only jam it out to mid off for a run. 33 needed off 12 balls.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Haris Rauf, 1 run.Full and wide again, turns out to be a low full toss. Rauf hangs deep and hits it away to deep cover for only another single.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Jahmar Hamilton, 1 run.Full and wide, lands it on the popping crease and just inside the tramline. Hamiltton squeezes it through point for a single.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Jahmar Hamilton, 2 runs.Goes full and wide again, Jahmar Hamilton extends his hammers and carves it over the cover region, without much timing and picks up a couple of runs.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Jahmar Hamilton, No run.Excellent delivery! Full and wide, well wide of the off stump but Hamilton is already backing away a long way and can't reach it.

Saurabh Netravalkar to Jahmar Hamilton, Four!FOUR! San Francisco Unicorns still just in it. Hard length over middle and leg, Jahmar Hamilton backs away a touch and smacks it straight back down the ground for a boundary to begin the over.

Saurabh Netravalkar (2-0-20-0) is back into the attack

Jack Edwards to Haris Rauf, No run.Unlucky! Full and wide, Haris Rauf hammers this one across the turf but finds the fielder at covers. A dot ball.

Jack Edwards to Jahmar Hamilton, 1 run.Nice and full, in the blockhole outside off. Hamilton looks to dig it out but gets it off the toe end of the bat and past the keeper for a single.

Jack Edwards to Haris Rauf, 1 run.Hard length on off, Rauf opens up his stance and smashes it away to deep mid-wicket for just a single.

Jack Edwards to Haris Rauf, 2 runs.Full and straight, Rauf takes the front leg out and pummels it to the left of long on for a couple of quick runs. The fumble from Maxwell also helped.

Jack Edwards to Haris Rauf, Four!FOUR! Oh, hello! Slow and short outside off, Haris Rauf hangs back and fetches the ball before swatting it across in between deep mid-wicket and long on for a boundary.

Jack Edwards to Haris Rauf, No run.Banged in a bit short and over middle, Haris Rauf hops back to defend.

Ian Holland to Haris Rauf, 1 run.Good length on off, Rauf stays back and tucks it to mid-wicket for a run.

Ian Holland to Jahmar Hamilton, 1 run.Pitched up around off, hit away on the up and down to long off for a single.

Ian Holland to Jahmar Hamilton, Four!FOUR! Finds the gap! Hard length outside off, Jahmar Hamilton waits well and cuts it away in between short third and backward point and the ball rolls away into the fence.

Ian Holland to Haris Rauf, 1 run.Another leg cutter, on a hard length and nibbling away, Rauf nudges it past point for a single.

Strategic Break! San Francisco Unicorns are slowly losing their grasp of the game. The bowlers of the Freedom are doing an exceptional job of leaking no boundaries and taking regular wickets. The slow ball tactic is working out pretty well, as the batters are trying to go big and are paying the price. However, three more wickets left and San Francisco Unicorns need 57 runs in 28 deliveries.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, OUT! c Glenn Phillips b Ian Holland.OUT! CAUGHT! Probably the final nail in the coffin for San Francisco Unicorns. Ian Holland sticks to his leg cutters and serves this one a bit full and outside off. Sanjay Krishnamurthi picks it up and tries to swing it away over long on but gets a lot more height than distance. Glenn Phillips comes in from the deep and takes a safe catch, he was never dropping that one. Good fight from Krishnamurthi but he departs at a crucial time as SFU lose their 7th wicket.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, No run.Hard length around the top of off, Krishnamurthi punches it gently to covers.

Jack Edwards to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 1 run.Fuller, around off. Sanjay Krishnamurthi drills it toward long off for a single.

Jack Edwards to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, No run.Back of a length, shaping the delivery inside the batter. Sanjay Krishnamurthi tries to guide it toward his off side but once again misses on the outer edge.

Jack Edwards to Jahmar Hamilton, 1 run.Fuller, around off. Hamilton pushes it wide cover for a single.

Jack Edwards to Jahmar Hamilton, No run.Good-length delivery, outside off. Jahmar Hamilton pushes it toward cover.

Jack Edwards to Jahmar Hamilton, No run.On a length, outside off. Jahmar Hamilton looks to push it away but gets beaten on the outer edge.

Jahmar Hamilton is in next.

Jack Edwards to Xavier Bartlett, OUT! c Glenn Maxwell b Jack Edwards.OUT! CAUGHT! Another one bites the dust! Another important change from Maxi, bringing Edwards back into the attack and it has paid off brilliantly! Slower short delivery, outside off. Xavier Bartlett heaves it across but fails to match the timing. The ball flies like an arrow toward the fielder at the long on fence and Glenn Maxwell does well to take the catch.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, No run.Play and a miss! Back of a length, outside off, nips it a bit away from the batter. Sanjay Krishnamurthi prods and looks to push it away but misses on the outer edge.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Four!FOUR! They'll need a couple more of these! A bit slower, on off and middle, angling in. Sanjay Krishnamurthi pulls it toward right of sqaure leg fence to get four more runs.

Ian Holland to Xavier Bartlett, 1 run.On a length, on middle. Xavier Bartlett nudges it toward the front of the deep mid-wicket for one.

Ian Holland to Xavier Bartlett, No run.Fuller once again, around off. Xavier Bartlett prods halfway and eases it back to the bowler.

Ian Holland to Xavier Bartlett, No run.Pitches it up, on off. Xavier Bartlett blocks it down the track.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 1 run.Slower one to start the over, fuller on off. Sanjay Krishnamurthi works it across toward mid-wicket for a single.

Mitchell Owen to Xavier Bartlett, No run.Only a boundary and two wickets off the over! Slower delivery, outside off. Xavier Bartlett drives but gets beaten on the outer edge.

Mitchell Owen to Xavier Bartlett, No run.Full-length delivery, just outside off. Xavier Bartlett leans over the delivery and pushes it toward mid off for no run.

Xavier Bartlett is in to face the hat-trick ball.

Mitchell Owen to Romario Shepherd, OUT! c Andries Gous b Mitchell Owen.OUT! CAUGHT BEHIND! Mitchell Owen has been a revelation for Washington Freedom with bat as well as ball and he is now on a hat-trick. A sharp bumper, banged in right over the front shoulder and catches Romario Shepherd by surprise. Romario is too late to swing at it and the ball catches the top edge before going towards the keeper. Andries Gous takes the catch to his left and Romario departs for a golden duck. Owen has three wickets inside 2 overs!

Romario Shepherd is in at number 6.

Mitchell Owen to Hassan Khan, OUT! c Obus Pienaar b Mitchell Owen.OUT! IN AIR... TAKEN! Mitchell Owen gets another one and he is loving it! Slower delivery from Owen, on a length, outside off. Hassan Khan looks to lash it over the cover region but fails to get the middle. The ball balloons toward the cover region and Obus Pienaar does well to get under the skier to scoop that one in.

Mitchell Owen to Hassan Khan, No run.On a length, down the leg. Hassan Khan looks to tickle it but misses and the ball brushes the thigh pad to the gloves of the keeper.

Mitchell Owen to Hassan Khan, Four!FOUR! Freebie for Hassan Khan! Owen bowls it fuller, sprays it down the leg. Hassan Khan flicks it fine from the inner part of his willwo toward rigth of the fine leg fence for a boundary.

Amila Aponso to Hassan Khan, 1 run.Flat and fuller on off. Hassan Khan heaves it uppishly toward deep mid-wicket and gets a single.

Amila Aponso to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 1 run.Pitches it up, on off. Sanjay Krishnamurthi swings it across the line long on for a single.

Amila Aponso to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, No run.Fuller, on off and middle. Sanjay Krishnamurthi blocks it back to the bowler.

Amila Aponso to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, No run.Darts this one down the leg, with a full-length delivery. Sanjay Krishnamurthi tries to flick it but wears it on his pad.

Amila Aponso to Hassan Khan, 1 run.Fuller, on middle. Hassan Khan tucks it toward sqaure leg for one.

Amila Aponso to Hassan Khan, No run.Tossed up, on middle. Hassan Khan eases it back to the bowler.

Mitchell Owen to Hassan Khan, 1 run.Short, outside off. Hassan Khan steers it toward backward point for one.

Hassan Khan is in next.

Mitchell Owen to Matthew Short, OUT! c Jack Edwards b Mitchell Owen.OUT! IN AIR... TAKEN! Mitchell Owen has been brought into the attack and instantly chips in with a wicket! Bowls it on a length, outside off, asking the batter to hit it hard. Matthew Short goes for a wild swing but connects the upper part of his bat. The ball loops toward the long on region, where Jack Edwards does well to judge the skier and bags the catch into his palms. Short departs for 67 and WF are right back in it.

Mitchell Owen to Matthew Short, Four!FOUR! Classic shot from Matthew Short! Fuller wide outside off. Matthew Short opens the face of his willow and slices it betweet the vast gap of sweeper cover and deep backward point for a boundary.

Mitchell Owen to Matthew Short, No run.Short, and wide outside off. Matthew Short pulls it from his toe end toward his leg side.

Mitchell Owen to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 1 run.Hard-length delivery, outside off. Sanjay Krishnamurthi pulls it across toward deep mid-wicket for one.

Mitchell Owen to Matthew Short, 1 run.Fuller, outside off. Matthew Short punches it from his toe end, toward wide long off for a single.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 2 runs.Excellent running! Slower one, on the fuller side and around middle. Krishnamurthi just pats it through mid on and sets off for the single and even pushes for the second run. The fielder at long on rushes in and picks up the ball before scoring a direct hit at the keeper's end but the batter is well in.

Ian Holland to Matthew Short, 1 run.Pitched-up delivery on middle, driven on the up and down to long off for a single.

Ian Holland to Matthew Short, 2 runs.Slow and a bit short outside off, Matthew Short stands tall and smacks the ball away well in front of sweeper cover for a couple of runs more.

Ian Holland to Matthew Short, 2 Leg byes.Another leg cutter, full and down leg. Short misses the flick and the ball goes off the pads and past the keeper towards fine leg. Short picks up a couple of handy leg byes.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 1 run.Back of a length and outside off, hit away on the up and through the cover region for one more.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, No run.A leg cutter now, bowled on leg stump, Krishnamurthi fails to flick it away and gets hit on the back side of the pad.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Short, No run.A dot to end but 23 runs come off that over and SFU are back in control. Around off, punched away towards extra cover.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Short, Six!SIX! And again! Darted in at the stumps, Matthew Short is simply waiting for it and hammers it back over the bowler's head for another biggie.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Short, Six!SIX! What a way to bring up the FIFTY from the Unicorns' skipper. A fourth straight half century and that is also the 400th six of the competition. Length ball on off, Matthew Short backs away a bit and swings through the line, launching it over long off for a biggie.

Rachin Ravindra to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 1 run.Flatter one, full and around off, driven through covers for one.

Rachin Ravindra to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Four!FOUR! Putting some pressure back onto the bowlers. Short on leg, Krishnamurthi gets down on one knee and swats it flat and to the left of deep square leg for a boundary.

Rachin Ravindra to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Six!SIX! Too full and angled into the legs, Sanjay Krishnamurthi manages to clear the front leg and swings it away high and handsome over cow corner for a biggie.

Ian Holland to Matthew Short, No run.DROPPED! Oh, that would have been such a massive wicket. Slower delivery, back of a length and on off. Matthew Short looks to drive on the up but the ball sticks in the deck and he ends up punching it to the left of the bowler. Ian Holland dives across but the ball bobbles out of his hands.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 1 run.Good length on middle, darting back in, Krishnamurthi plays it from the crease and down to long on for another single.

Ian Holland to Matthew Short, 1 run.Takes pace off, bowling it around the top of off and middle, Short checks his shot and eases it down to long offfor one more.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, 1 run.Good length again, edged down towards deep third for a single by Krishnamurthi.

Ian Holland to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, No run.Good length on off, Krishnamurthi leans on and taps it to cover-point.

Ian Holland to Matthew Short, 1 run.Fuller-length delivery to begin with, bowled around off and Matthew Short swats it through covers for a single.

Rachin Ravindra to Sanjay Krishnamurthi, No run.Nagging length again, on middle, Sanjay Krishnamurthi lunges and defends it out.

Sanjay Krishnamurthi walks up to the middle.

Rachin Ravindra to Jake Fraser-McGurk, OUT! b Rachin Ravindra.OUT! BOWLED'EM! Oh, deary me! Jake Fraser-McGurk has played all over that one. A good change-up from Rachin Ravindra as he slows it right up but doesn't quite toss it up, serves it on a nagging length around middle. JFM rocks back to pull but the ball stays low and goes under the willow to smash into the stumps. Washington Freedom making a comeback into this game.

Rachin Ravindra to Matthew Short, 1 run.Flatter delivery on middle, Short stays leg side and plays it through covers to make it a fourth straight single in the over.

Rachin Ravindra to Jake Fraser-McGurk, 1 run.Drifted in towards the pads, JFM presents the full face of the blade and pushes it down to long on for one more.