169/6 (19.3)
CR : 8.67
168/5 (20.0)
CR : 8.40
Seattle Orcas won by 4 wickets 🏆
Player of the Match
Shimron Hetmyer
78(37)
Matthew Short (San Francisco Unicorns Captain): "It was a touch tacky. The wicket was under cover for a few days. To be honest, we didn't bat too badly. We probably left a few out there late, things to learn for the next game.
Look it was mentioned. Looking back in hindsight, you see Sheph get out ther and hit couple of sixes. We got Tim Seifert who is a powerful hitter. Hassan Khan has been going at 230 strike rate, both batters in their own right.
Look it was a similar wicket, probably a bit tacky. I think once the sun went down, it got a bit dew, bit sweaty as well.
Coming into the last game here might be similar challenge."
Look it was mentioned. Looking back in hindsight, you see Sheph get out ther and hit couple of sixes. We got Tim Seifert who is a powerful hitter. Hassan Khan has been going at 230 strike rate, both batters in their own right.
Look it was a similar wicket, probably a bit tacky. I think once the sun went down, it got a bit dew, bit sweaty as well.
Coming into the last game here might be similar challenge."
Time for the post-match presentation...
Power hitter of the day: Shimron Hetmyer
Play of the day: Finn Allen
Most Valuable Player of the Match: Shimron Hetmyer
Shimron Hetmyer (MVP): "I guess, prayers help. A clear mind also helps. At different situations, you think differently. I am not thinking like overthinking the game. So far, I am just looking to play my strong shots and so far it has been working.
Now I am trying to access the off-side that I used to. Before I used to drag the ball into the leg side. I am trying to hold my shape, I have been doing a decent enough job, just need to keep working on it.
I try to keep the run rate below the 12-run mark. 10 for me, is fine. 12 and above takes a lot of doing. I just want to give my partner some energy and encouragement to go out and be positive. If he's not able to, he can give me the strike back and then we will see if I can hit the boundaries.
I won the battle against Shephed, I guess, he's a good friend. He bowls me in the nets."
Now I am trying to access the off-side that I used to. Before I used to drag the ball into the leg side. I am trying to hold my shape, I have been doing a decent enough job, just need to keep working on it.
I try to keep the run rate below the 12-run mark. 10 for me, is fine. 12 and above takes a lot of doing. I just want to give my partner some energy and encouragement to go out and be positive. If he's not able to, he can give me the strike back and then we will see if I can hit the boundaries.
I won the battle against Shephed, I guess, he's a good friend. He bowls me in the nets."
Sikandar Raza (Seattle Orcas Captain): "Yes, suddenly after the first game, I believe there was a change in energy, because chasing 237, a lot of people did a lot of good things which gave us a lot of confidence.
The beauty about it is that we are winning the crunch moments. Hetmyer is doing a really good job for us on a wicket like that against an opposition like that, it will go a long way.
Our bowling performance was good, maybe our fielding could sharpen up a bit, saving some extra runs here and there. Well, the management had to make the changes halfway through the tournament.
But it is what it is, this is a professional sport and if a management has taken a decision, we have to get out there and back their decisions and most importantly we have to back ourselves."
The beauty about it is that we are winning the crunch moments. Hetmyer is doing a really good job for us on a wicket like that against an opposition like that, it will go a long way.
Our bowling performance was good, maybe our fielding could sharpen up a bit, saving some extra runs here and there. Well, the management had to make the changes halfway through the tournament.
But it is what it is, this is a professional sport and if a management has taken a decision, we have to get out there and back their decisions and most importantly we have to back ourselves."
That's all we have for you from the first game of the Florida leg in this year's MLC. It was another last-over thriller, with a Shimron Hetmyer special powering the Seattle Orcas to their third consecutive win. They now look like strong contenders for that fourth playoff spot.
For now, this is Ajay Pal Singh signing off on behalf of my colleagues Utsav Chandak and Ashok Dayma. There's plenty of international cricket coming your way later today, so make sure to join us for coverage of those big matches. Until then, goodbye!
For now, this is Ajay Pal Singh signing off on behalf of my colleagues Utsav Chandak and Ashok Dayma. There's plenty of international cricket coming your way later today, so make sure to join us for coverage of those big matches. Until then, goodbye!