NEW DELHI: Veteran spinner Sunil Narine produced a brilliant spell with the ball after half a century from Andrew Fletcher and Matthew Tromp helped the Los Angeles Knight Riders beat the Washington Freedom by 18 runs in the Major League Cricket (MLC) clash at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Friday.The win earned the Knight Riders two crucial points and took them to third place in the standings with eight points from eight games and a net run rate of +0.187. Washington Freedom also has eight points. They are in fifth place due to a lower net rate of -0.637.
Fletcher, Tromp power Knight Riders to 192
Asked to bat first after Washington Freedom won the toss, Los Angeles Knight Riders posted a competitive 192/8 in 20 overs.The innings got off to an unlucky start with Colin Munro and Andre Russell departing in the first two overs. However, Andre Fletcher and Matthew Tromp set up the innings with a solid 110 run partnership.Fletcher top scored with 59 off 40 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes, while Tromp made 50 off 32 deliveries with two fours and four sixes.Saif Badar then added a quickfire 24 off 12 balls before Jahmar Hamilton remained unbeaten on 22 off 12 balls to give the innings a strong finish.For Washington Freedom, Saurabh Netravalkar took three wickets, while Ben Dwarshuis and Mitchell Owen claimed two each.
Narine’s economic charm
Chasing Los Angeles Knight Riders’ 192/8, Washington Freedom never recovered after Narine’s superb spell in the Powerplay.The veteran spinner finished with figures of 1/14 in four overs at an outstanding economy rate of just 3.50. He removed dangerous opener Mitchell Owen and kept the scoring under control, putting pressure on the batsmen.Andre Russell then struck at key moments, dismissing Steve Smith (8), Rachin Ravindra (4) and Jack Edwards (0) to finish with 3/34.Ali Khan also impressed with 2/18, while Shadley van Schalkwyk took two wickets. Lahiru Milantha batted hard with 40, while Andries Gous made 37. Ben Dwarshuis chipped in with a quick 19, but Washington Freedom finished on 174/8.
Narine named the Player of the Match
After receiving the Player of the Match award, Narine explained the change in his bowling role.“(In his new role of bowling in the powerplay). I think it just happened. I think we need to keep the powerplay a little tighter, and I think we all came together and came up with a game plan. Fortunately it worked, and I hope it can continue.“(Your mentality when bowling to guys who you know are coming after you, Mitch Owen for example tonight?) No, I think that when you focus on the opponents, you are under pressure. I think that you focus on what you can do, focus on the skills that you have, and try to execute what you have practiced.The Los Angeles Knights will now face the San Francisco Unicorns on Saturday at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
