The MLC 2024 is the second instalment of the Major League Cricket tournament, which was started with the initiative of franchise team investors with the United States Cricket Federation. Starting in the previous year of 2023, the MI New York emerged victorious on the first occasion.
Washington Freedom was also one of the four teams that made it to the playoffs of MLC 2023. Though they had to face disappointment at the hands of MI New York in the eliminator game, the Freedom franchise wanted to include new players from the draft to improve their chances in the second edition.
Washington Freedoms Crowned Champions of MLC 2024
Most Speculated Players Drafted by the Washington Freedom
The few biggest signings that Freedom made to excel in the MLC 2024 included the likes of Aussie veteran batter Steven Smith. Smith has not been considered in the IPL lately, as he remained unsold for over 2 seasons now and was also dropped from Australia’s T20 World Cup squad. However, Smith turned his fate in the format with his brilliant performance in the last BBL, followed by his stunning performance for Freedom in the MLC.
The second biggest signing remained Travis Head, who has been the best T20 batter in the world, as he also surpassed Suryakumar in the T20I rankings. Head has been the third-highest run-getter in the MLC with 330+ runs.
Glenn Maxwell, Rachin Ravindra, and Marco Jansen remained the all-rounders who were also signed for the same season. Maxwell has been the real star with both bat and ball, scoring 200+ runs and 10 wickets, while Ravindra, who had a disappointing season with the bat, stood effective whenever he was handed the ball by Smith.
An insight into Washington Freedom’s road to the finals
Freedom topped the MLC 2024 points table, as they won 5 of their 7 group stage games, losing just one game. Smith, who was appointed the skipper of a franchise team after a long interval, gave immediate results, as his bowling changes and diverse tactics proved to be efficient for Freedom.
After going into the playoffs, the Washington Freedom faced the San Francisco Unicorns, and Travis Head alongside Glenn Maxwell scored a stunning 77* and 54* to take them rapidly into the finals.
A Summary of the MLC 2024 Final
The Washington Freedom played against the same opposition from the first qualifier, the San Francisco Unicorns, in the finals. Put on to bat first, skipper Steve Smith stood firm as he scored a stunning 88 alongside Maxwell’s supportive 40 that led them to a total of 207.
Jansen and Ravindra struck thrice alongside Maxi, Netravalkar, and Tye, picking up 4 wickets in innings to restrict them to 111 runs that earned them a 96-run victory that led a Smith-led Washington Freedom side to a title triumph in MLC 2024.
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Washington Freedom Stats in MLC 2024
The best performers remained Steven Smith and Travis Head in the batting department. While bowlers Saurabh Netravalkar was the pick of the bowlers with 15 wickets, followed by the likes of Ferguson, Maxwell, and Jansen.
Run Scorers:
- Travis Head: 336 runs
- Steven Smith: 336 runs
- Glenn Maxwell: 153 runs
Wicket Takers:
- Saurabh Netravalkar: 15 wickets
- Rachin Ravindra, 12 wickets
- Marco Jansen: 11 wickets
- Glenn Maxwell: 10 wickets
- Lockie Ferguson: 10 wickets
