Final update. The Washington Freedom won the MLC final easily. They racked up 207 (which is a big score in T20), mainly due to an old fashioned Aussie assault by Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, and knocked over San Francisco for 111. Steve Smith was man of the match and fellow Aussie batsman Travis Head was Man of the Series.Neilster wrote: ↑Sun Jul 28, 2024 9:21 am In about 15 hours I'll be watching the Major League Cricket final between the Washington Freedom and San Francisco Unicorns. I watched some highlights of the first season last year and was surprised at the standard. It's even better this year. There's a sprinkling of local players but most of players are serious international talent, with plenty of Aussies, Kiwis, South Africans and South Asians. The crowds have been good, considering it's in the US, but it's mainly for a global TV audience.
Early on I decided to support Washington as they have several Australian stars I really like and they have proved a powerful side. San Francisco are quality too and earned their place in the final with a hard fought win against Texas, in which one of the better catches I've seen was taken (see below). The final will be at 19:30 CDT. Check local guides
https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/
It was an excellent tournament and there are plans to grow to 10 teams and build more stadiums in the near future. A few eyebrows were raised when Australian captain Pat Cummins signed a four year deal with San Francisco but he said that it's very well organised, played in the Southern hemisphere off-season and has huge growth potential. It's being backed by some Indian guys with ultra deep pockets. Cummins has a business degree and being introduced to the world of Silicon Valley venture capital was one of the attractions.
Incidentally, the bloke on the far right in the photo below is the coach, Tasmanian Ricky Ponting. One of my friends at school was a very good cricketer and when he was 16 he was selected to play in a tournament of the best young cricketers in Tasmania. When he returned, I asked him if anyone really stood out.
Him: "Yeah, there was a little bloke who was only 12(!) from Launceston who got a century (100+ runs) every time he batted and no-one could get him out"
Me: "Really...what's his name?"
Him: "Ricky Ponting"
Me: "I'll have to remember that name"
Ricky Ponting went on to be one of the greatest cricketers of all time
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ricky_Ponting
; Julia Child
