11pm That will be all from us for this game. Hope you enjoyed our coverage and we hope to have your company for the rest of the MLC matches too. Until then, this is goodbye from me, Vairavan and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Take care, folks!
Jasdeep Singh, Player of the Match: Two weeks back, when it (MLC) started, I was disappointed to not be here. I had completely turned off my mind. If not this year, I will go next year. It is all God's plan and I look at it as God's gift to me and this is my gift back (to God). I just tried to keep it simple. Had a chat (with Ricky and the coaching unit) and the idea was to hit my lengths and bowl to my strengths. Glad it paid off. I had a few nerves, coming in as Saurabh's replacement. He has been having a terrific year, so there was obviously a bit of pressure, because I wanted to keep it up. But it is normal to feel that way, glad I can stand here and speak about it. These guys have been very welcoming, especially Lockie and Smudge (Steve Smith).
Steve Smith, Washington Freedom captain: Travis started really nicely. The wicket was quite tough with the new ball. It was stoppy. They got defensive to him early on and he was able to capitalise. Gous played nicely in the middle and Rachin played a good cameo. Marco started well with the new ball and Jessy was superb too. It was a pretty good total on this wicket. I thought if we could control the powerplay, not let them get too far ahead, we could defend to that longer side. Bowlers did a good job tonight, picking up wickets and putting them under pressure. Marco bowls his best when he is charging in, with the zip he gets. He set the tone for us. Jessy did a tremendous job. We have qualified now. Winning is a habit, so keep winning and ensuring that we can play our best cricket (in the later part of the tournament).
Kieron Pollard, MI New York captain: (On the bowling) I think we were decent. Travis Head got some runs but we bowled in some areas and got him to hit in areas we wanted. After the first time-out, we let it slip a little and then a couple of overs in the back end. (On the batting display) One word for that is it was atrocious (smiles wryly). Losing so many wickets in the powerplay, it happened again. I will take responsibility for that because I have to get the team up and running. We still have a chance (with two games left) and whatever comes from now on, we have to take responsibility.
Rachin Ravindra: (On his batting plan) Just trying to build a partnership with Gous. Was about taking the option that we were comfortable with. Took my chances and it came off. (Batting lower down the order) Slightly different role. But there are so many world-class players in the team, so we can switch. That is how we like to play the game, always have a left-right combination. (On the surface) The cutters were holding. The way our bowlers bowled, bashing it on a length and getting seam and swing - it was not an easy wicket.
10:40pm A proper pasting. That is what it was. At the half-way stage, it felt Washington had a good score on the board. After the powerplay, it felt that that total was insurmountable. Jasdeep and Jansen set the tone early, with Washington ripping out five batters inside the first six overs. By the time the first strategic time-out came around, MINY were seven down, and that sums up just how poor they were with the bat.
Apart from the obvious mishaps with shot selection, MINY's batting order also left a bit to be desired. Pooran was probably held back too long, and when he walked in, he could not make an impact either. They also seemed to struggle against Ferguson's pace and that frailty, against high-pace, could yet be crucial in what remains of this season. They now have only two games left and have it all to do to retain their title.
Ehsan Adil b Maxwell 0 (2b 0x4 0x6) SR: 0.00
Adil is the last man in
TA Boult c Holland b Maxwell 16 (13b 0x4 1x6) SR: 123.07
END OF OVER:13 | 7 Runs | MI NY: 88/8 (95 runs required from 42 balls, RR: 6.76, RRR: 13.57)
- Trent Boult16 (12b)
- Nosthush Kenjige9 (9b)
- Marco Jansen4-0-18-2
- Rachin Ravindra1-0-5-0
Jansen to bowl out
END OF OVER:12 | 5 Runs | MI NY: 81/8 (102 runs required from 48 balls, RR: 6.75, RRR: 12.75)
- Nosthush Kenjige4 (5b)
- Trent Boult14 (10b)
- Rachin Ravindra1-0-5-0
- Ian Holland1-0-11-1