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OAKLAND: Glenn Maxwell turned back the clock with a vintage T20 masterclass, hammering an unbeaten 106 off just 49 deliveries to lead Washington Freedom to a commanding 113-run win over Los Angeles Knight Riders in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 on Tuesday.
Playing at the Oakland Coliseum, Maxwell, captaining Washington, walked in under pressure at 68-4 and with the team teetering at 92-5 by the 12th over.
But what followed was a typical Maxwell masterclass as he tore apart the LA Knight Riders’ bowling attack with 13 towering sixes and two boundaries in a brutal exhibition of power-hitting.
The Aussie all-rounder, who took his time early on (9 off 12), launched into overdrive with a hat-trick of sixes off fellow countryman Tanveer Sangha.
He followed that up with twin maximums off Corne Dry and then dispatched Sunil Narine thrice over the ropes to bring up a 29-ball fifty.
Glenn Maxwell didn’t hit a single four until after his 10th six, which came off Andre Russell in the penultimate over.
He brought up his eighth T20 ton in the final over with three more massive sixes off Jason Holder, powering Washington to 208-5. His 97-run blitz in a 116-run sixth-wicket stand with Obus Pienaar (14*) changed the complexion of the game.
In reply, LA Knight Riders crumbled under scoreboard pressure. Chasing 209, they were blown away for just 95 in 16.3 overs, their third straight defeat of the tournament.
The collapse began early, with both openers dismissed for ducks and Unmukt Chand following soon after.
At 10-3, the writing was on the wall. Saif Badar (32 off 31) and Jason Holder (23 off 16) showed some resistance, but no one else got going against a disciplined Washington attack.
Jack Edwards and Mitchell Owen claimed three wickets apiece, while Saurabh Netravalkar finished with 2 for 6 in a miserly spell.
With this resounding win, Washington Freedom climbed to third on the MLC 2025 points table, while LA Knight Riders remain winless after three games, stuck at number five.
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