Shimron Hetmyer unleashed a thunderous, unbeaten 78 from simply 37 deliveries to propel the resurgent Seattle Orcas to a 4‑wicket victory over the San Francisco Unicorns within the first Main League Cricket fixture ever staged at Central Broward Park in Lauderhill, Florida, on Tuesday night time.
Coming to the crease with the Orcas tottering at 56 for 4 in pursuit of 169, the left‑handed West Indian detonated seven towering sixes and 4 fours, turning a tense chase right into a spectacle of fresh, audacious hitting and sealing the consequence with three balls in hand.
Bartlett’s early strikes, Plunkett’s management not sufficient
Australian seamer Xavier Bartlett (2‑14) struck twice within the Powerplay and former England pacer Liam Plunkett (1‑26) utilized the brakes by means of the center overs, however the Unicorns couldn’t dislodge Hetmyer when it mattered. As soon as the Guyanese star discovered his vary, even Bartlett’s heavy size and Plunkett’s cross‑seam variations proved insufficient.
Earlier, California‑born left‑arm spinner Ayan Desai prised out three wickets for 32 because the Unicorns have been restricted to 168 for 5. Sanjay Krishnamurthi’s sprightly 41 off 28 balls, laced with 4 sixes, and Jake Fraser‑McGurk’s 35 from 22 anchored the innings, however South African fast Gerald Coetzee allowed solely 21 in 4 hostile overs to maintain the goal inside attain.
Desk in flux
The defeat retains San Francisco in second place, stage on factors with leaders Washington Freedom however having performed an additional match, whereas Seattle climb to fourth after successful three straight since a mid‑season overhaul that noticed Matthew Mott dismissed as coach and Heinrich Klaasen relinquish the captaincy.
In the meantime, the competitors continues on the similar venue on Wednesday night (6:00 p.m. ET) with Texas Tremendous Kings dealing with Washington Freedom.
Stakes and storylines
Washington Freedom experience a six‑match successful streak that snapped the Unicorns’ excellent document final weekend. Yet one more triumph would hoist them unaccompanied to the summit of the standings. Texas Tremendous Kings, buoyed by consecutive victories but nonetheless dogged by inconsistency, can draw stage on factors with the Freedom in the event that they lastly piece collectively a 3rd straight win.
Key match‑ups
Freedom’s Relentless Core vs. Texas’ Mercurial Order: Washington have thrived on collective consistency; Texas alternate brilliance with collapses.
Powerplay Bowling: Early breakthroughs for both Josh Little (TSK) or Saurabh Netravalkar (WAF) may dictate tempo on a floor that quickens beneath lights.
Center‑Overs Spin: Akeal Hosein’s left‑arm darts for the Tremendous Kings in opposition to Washington’s in‑type prime 4 may show decisive if showers briefly freshen the monitor.
Kind information & outlook
The Tremendous Kings have but to string collectively three victories in a row this season; Washington, against this, “pile up the wins” and have displayed a ruthlessness that implies their ceiling continues to be rising. Until Texas discover sustained depth with each bat and ball, the good cash backs the Freedom to increase their run to the proverbial fortunate quantity seven.
