MORRISVILLE: Matthew Short’s blistering knock was followed by Liam Plunkett’s three-wicket haul to power San Francisco Unicorns to a dominant victory against Seattle Orcas in the 13th match of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 at Church Street Park on Monday.
While batting first, San Francisco Unicorns posted 165-7, which they successfully defended by restricting Seattle Orcas to 142-6.
The Unicorns lost Jake Fraser-McGurk (11) early in the innings before Finn Allen and Matthew Short partnered to add 75 runs for the second wicket.
Imad Wasim, who took the first wicket, broke the partnership as he caught and bowled Allen. The New Zealander played an 18-ball knock of 34 runs, featuring two fours and three sixes.
Short scored 56 off 32 with four boundaries and as many sixes before he was dismissed by Cameron Gannon.
After two quick wickets, Sanjay Krishnamurthi played a cautious 30-run knock to push the team’s total to 165 before getting out on the last ball of the innings.
For the Orcas, Gannon claimed three while Wsim picked two wickets.
In response, Ryan Rickelton and Shehan Jayasuriya gave the Orcas a good start as they scored 76 runs in 8.3 overs with the latter being the chief run-scorer.
Liam Plunkett bowled Rickelton after he scored a steady 29 off 21.
The Orcas lost Quinton de Kock (2) and Jayasuriya in quick succession to slip to 87-3 in 11 overs. Jayasuriya top-scored with 54 off 37, which included two sixes and seven fours.
San Francisco Unicorns’ bowlers did not allow the Orcas to come back as the wicket kept falling while the run rate kept increasing.
With 10 runs per over required, Harmeet Singh and Hammad Azam knitted a 30-run partnership to give the Orcas hope, however, Plunkett dismissed the former to dash their hopes.
38 runs were needed off the last three overs with Hammad Azam on the crease, but Haris Rauf’s two and Pat Cummins’ one over ensured a 23-run victory for the Unicorns.
Plunkett returned with figures of 3-26, while Short, Cummins and Corey Anderson bagged one wicket each.
San Francisco Unicorns are currently sitting in third position in the MLC 2024 standings with five points, while Seattle Orcas are lying at the bottom.
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