Chand, Russell star as LAKR open their account in MLC 2025
The result kept Orcas winless after four games
The result kept Orcas winless after four games
Scorer: Sudeep Poojar | Commentator: Rashad Mahbub
So, that concludes the first match of MLC's doubleheader day. Thank you for tuning in. Do join us for the second match of the day, where the Texas Super Kings will bat first against the Washington Freedom. Goodbye!
Jason Holder: "[Win] Very important for us. We needed that momentum, and hopefully we can press them from here. (Bowl first) A little bit surprised by having said that, we still had to play cricket. I was very pleased with our boys. I thought our bowlers did an outstanding job. We were very disciplined. We executed most of our plans, and we were able to restrict them to a reasonable total. I thought at the halfway stage we would have taken it 177 and this was just a matter for us to set up nicely. Although we lost two early wickets, we were still able to build a really nice partnership in the middle. The bowlers were outstanding, each and every bowler that came up put up a really good effort and helped the cause. I guess, a total team effort, we were able to really restrict the total runs in the middle, get wickets in the back end, and then obviously, start with the bat. So all in all, a really good win. [Excellent partnership] Exactly what we needed after losing the early two wickets. We spoke about just setting the game up. And I thought those two did an outstanding job of setting the game up for us nicely. Sherfane, Rovman, myself, Russell, if needed, the platform to really strike in the very end. So kudos to those two. I thought their partnership was outstanding in the match. Winning partnership for us."
Most Valuable Player, Unmukt Chand: "[Batting] Well, it was good. It was important for us to win this game. We've worked really well and obviously it's important that we sort of go there, implement ourselves, execute the plans which we had sort of made for ourselves. I guess I was hitting the ball pretty well. Wanted to make sure that we sort of set up a good base so that our power hitters can sort of come on later on and finish the game. But I think it kept going well. So it kept on going. [Partnership with Saif Badar] That was really special. Because I think for a team as well, when the domestic guys step up, it makes a huge difference. And I think Saif was due out of him, and he's a good batsman. After losing those two wickets early on, the way we sort of kept playing and that was important for us to do that, and obviously, we kept getting the boundaries in the middle, which is good."
Heinrich Klaasen: "It's a tricky one. I just feel today we just ourselves a little bit under pressure there, from over seven to 10-11-12, but we just didn't get enough boundaries. They bowled extremely well, but you still need to try something, which we lack today. And it's easy to say, yes, we need to go up front, but if you go out, then there's no one at the back to do the job as well. I just think we've lost it a little bit at the start of the Powerplay. We batted well in the Powerplay, and then just lost our way a little bit. And it was quite tricky to come in and then just to score. [Bowling unit] Just execute more. I think our plans are good, and when we nail our plans and execute our lengths and lines, then it's good. We're just missing quite a lot. And that's how the game of cricket works. It's professional sports, and if you miss on this level, you're definitely going to get punished. [Four losses in a row] It's a tough one, but it's a do-or-die situation, almost twice now. If we could win four or five out of six, we'd still be in the mix, and that's what we keep aiming for if we can get on a roll. We can still get into that blast."
5:38 pm Finally, the Los Angeles Knight Riders have done it! They've bagged their first win of the season! It wasn't the easiest start for them, as they lost opener Hales and top-order batter Nitish early on, both falling within the Powerplay. Once again, their top order couldn't quite get them going. However, Unmukt Chand looked in brilliant touch today, and with Saif Badar, they began to rebuild the innings. This was no easy feat, as the pitch was sluggish, with the ball awkwardly bouncing and moving both ways when new. Chand switched the tide in the 11th over, scoring 20 runs with two sixes and two fours, drastically changing the tempo of the game. Saif Badar scored 54 runs off 32 deliveries, building a key partnership with Chand before departing. The drama continued as Jessy Singh bowled Rovman Powell in the very next over. But it didn't faze the Knight Riders! Rutherford came in and played a brilliant, quickfire cameo of 20 runs off just 9 balls, taking his team across the line. But the true star of the show was Unmukt Chand. What an innings! A real gem, as he remained unbeaten, scoring a magnificent 86 runs off 58 deliveries. For the Seattle Orcas, their struggles continue. They've now played four games and lost all four. Their bowlers, who began brilliantly, appeared to lose their venom as the ball got older, unable to maintain the early pressure. Their fielding and bowling efforts today were unimpressive; they simply lacked the additional spark or 'X-factor' required to get over the finish line and finally earn some points this season!
Los Angeles Knight Riders won by 6 wickets
6 needed from 12 now.
The result kept Orcas winless after four games