Washington Freedom dominate San Francisco Unicorns to win MLC 2024 title

Washington Freedom crowned their outstanding season by winning the MLC 2024 title with a commanding performance in the final at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. Facing the San Francisco Unicorns, the Freedom posted a season-high score of 207/5 and then bowled out their opponents for 111, securing a massive 96-run victory, the largest margin of the season.

The stage was set by captain Steve Smith, who scored a quickfire 88, taking his season total to 336 runs with a strike rate of 148.67. Although Travis Head, who had five consecutive 50+ scores, fell early to Pat Cummins, Smith's leadership shone through. Despite a slow start, he accelerated the scoring with the help of Andries Gous, who provided a brief burst with a 14-ball 21.

Smith then found rhythm, hitting key boundaries and sixes to bring up a 34-ball fifty. His partnership with Glenn Maxwell further boosted the scoring rate, adding 28 runs off one over from Juanoy Drysdale. Smith's inventive shots, including a scooped six, propelled him into the eighties before he was dismissed by Cummins for 88.

Maxwell continued the assault with a quick 40 off 22 balls before falling to a brilliant catch by Josh Inglis. Late contributions from Mukhtar Ahmed and Obus Pienaar pushed the total past 200, setting a target that has never been chased down in MLC history.

The Unicorns' chase faltered early, with Marco Jansen striking twice in the PowerPlay, dismissing Jake Fraser-McGurk and Finn Allen. Saurabh Netravalkar added to the Unicorns' woes by removing Sanjay Krishnamurthi. The Unicorns were in deep trouble at 56/6 by the ninth over.

Andrew Tye and Rachin Ravindra then dismantled the middle and lower order. Tye's double strike removed Josh Inglis and Corey Anderson, while Jansen and Ravindra each took three wickets, sealing a comprehensive win for Washington Freedom.

Brief scores: Washington Freedom 207/5 in 20 overs (Steve Smith 88, Glenn Maxwell 40; Pat Cummins 2-35) beat San Francisco Unicorns 111 in 16 overs (Rachin Ravindra 3-23, Marco Jansen 3-28, Andrew Tye 2-12) by 96 runs.