Match Center

Right then, that is it from this encounter where Texas Super Kings get their first win of the season while San Francisco Unicorns need to go back to the drawing board. Next up in the MLC 2024 is a battle between Seattle Orcas and Washington Freedom on 12th July, Friday. That will begin at 6 am IST (12.30 am GMT), but as you know, you can always join us early for all the build-up to the match. Until then, cheers and goodbye!

Faf du Plessis, the victorious skipper of Texas Super Kings says that they needed this win. Adds that they were good with the bat in the last game but it was a washout. Tells that they have a few more batting options and it was nice to mix up different bowlers. Mentions that it is important to be in a good mental state that helps with your performance and earlier you could have a strike rate of 120-130 but times have changed now. Says that the tournament is nicely set up with start players and it is nice to get six overseas players rather than the usual four in other leagues. Further adds that the other 5 local players also have an important role in their team's success. Praises Mohammad Mohsin for his bowling effort and says that he is his go-to spinner and hopes that he continues like this.

Corey Anderson, the captain of San Francisco Unicorns says that they scored at a good rate but kept losing wickets at regular intervals that cost them. Adds that the execution could have been a bit better but these things happen in cricket. Tells that he does not want his players to change their style of play and knows that tweaking just a few things here and there will get them back on track. Mentions that Shane Watson has helped the team a lot and it is good to have his guidance as everyone can learn a few things from him.

Mohammad Mohsin is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his amazing bowling spell. He says that the fast bowlers set up the game for them and he is happy to contribute to the team. Adds that they just kept it simple and remained stump-to-stump and made them hit against the wind. Mentions that the presence of all these international starts helps massively as the local players get to experience and learn a lot of things.

Presentation Time...

Aaron Hardie is up for a quick chat. He says the wicket was a good one as it had something for both the batters and bowlers. Adds that they were a bit sloppy in the field inside the Powerplay but turned things around after that and credited their bowlers. Mentions that having players like Faf du Plessis and Devon Conway at the tope is always an advantage and both them batted really well in this game.

Can’t really blame Unicorns’ bowlers, they just did not have enough runs to play with. They’ll be disappointed with the fact that they let the opposition chase it down quickly but Unicorns were just below par in this game and were outplayed by a far better side.

A thumping win for the Texas Super Kings and it is the first of their campaign. This was never in doubt, to be honest after they restricted their opposition to a low score. Faf came out all guns blazing and his stand with Conway more or less killed the game. Faf fell but Conway continued with Hardie. Conway retired hurt at the halfway mark. They did lose a couple more towards the end but they had the chase in control all the time and finished the game in quick time.

Mitchell Santner hits the winning runs! Haris Rauf serves this full and on off, Mitchell Santner opens the face of his bat and slices it nicely over extra covers. Texas Super Kings win by 7 runs.

SCORES LEVEL! Short of a length and on middle, Milind Kumar pulls it towards deep square leg for one.

Pitched up and on the pads, Mitchell Santner clips it through square leg for a run.

Full again and on middle, Milind Kumar tucks it towards mid-wicket for a single.

Fuller and on off, Milind Kumar blocks it out. Texas Super Kings just one hit away from the win now.

SIX! MONSTROUS HIT! New balls, please! Flighted, full and around middle, Matthew Short clears his front leg away and absolutely whacks it off the middle of the bat, the ball sails way over the deep mid-wicket fence for a biggie. 348 feet! Almost as big as Dre Russ'!

Flatter, full and on middle, Milind Kumar drills it wide of mid on, the fielder dives to his left to make a good stop. They cross.

Short and around off, Mitchell Santner punches it through covers for a run.

Mitchell Santner is the next man in.

OUT! TAKEN! Two in the over for Hassan Khan! Aaron Hardie has to go back trying in search of a big shot here. Tossed up, full and around off, turns away a bit, Aaron Hardie tries to go for the big slog, but his bat turns in his hand and he ends up slicing it in the air towards long off, Finn Allen settles under it and takes a nice catch. Texas Super Kings three down now!