WATCH: Steve Smith catches designer off Glenn Maxwell bowling in WF vs LAKR match at MLC 2024

Washington Freedom extended their unbeaten streak Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 with a comprehensive victory by eight wickets Los Angeles Knight Riders in Morrisville. Opting to bowl first on a slow pitch, the Freedom bowlers took advantage of the conditions, restricting the Knight Riders to a limited score of 129.

The decision to bowl first proved to be a masterstroke, as the pitch provided enough support to contain the Knight Riders batsmen, leading to a comfortable chase for Freedom.

Saurabh Netravalkar’s bowling masterclass

Saurabh Netravalkar, who was the man of the match in the recent T20 World Cup, showcased his skills in spectacular fashion, returning figures of 4/35. He hit twice in his opening position, and cleared Sunil Narine with a perfect full delivery that hit his stumps again Chand with a sharp short ball.

By the fifth over, the Knight Riders were down to 18/4, with Jason Roy again Shakib Al Hasan and back to the pavilion. Roy was caught at deep midwicket trying to clear a boundary, and Shakib was bowled at the wicket with a well-disguised slow ball. Saif Badar tried to stabilize the innings with a careful 35, playing some good shots and rotating the strike effectively. However, his dismissal – off LBW on a skidding delivery from off Rachin Ravindra – cause another fall.

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Amazing catch by Steve Smith off Glenn Maxwell bowling

Glenn Maxwell then tightened the screws with her accurate off-spin, finishing with figures of 3/15. His spell included an important wicket Andre Russell, who looked dangerous during his short stay at the crease. Russell, trying to rush the goals, was caught at long on, failing to clear the boundary. Then, Steve SmithSpecial play took the wicket of Nitish Kumar.

On the third ball of the eleventh over, Maxwell bowled a length ball at middle stump. Nitish tried to clear the reins but failed to achieve the heights he wanted. The ball went straight to short wicket, where Smith timed his jump perfectly and took a spectacular catch in the air.

Here is the video:

📽️ | Absolute screamer ft. Steve Smith 🤩#MLC2024 #FreedomExpress #LAKRvWF | @MLCricket | @stevesmith49 pic.twitter.com/scmsyW1591

– Washington Freedom (@WSHFreedom) July 14, 2024

A powerful blow sets off the Washington Freedom

After that Lockie Ferguson added pressure with his crisp pace, taking two wickets in quick succession, ensuring LAKR folded with eight balls to spare in their innings.

in the chase, Travis Head and captain Smith gave a strong start, amassing 61 runs in the powerplay. Head was very aggressive, scoring an innings of 40 off just 23 balls, hitting sixes off 32 balls of 54 balls. Despite his dismissal, which led to him dropping goals, Smith held the innings by scoring an unbeaten 42. for Freedom to comfortably chase down the target, with eight wickets and four overs to go, continuing their good start to the season.

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