Match 21, Dallas, July 24, 2024, 06:00 AM

Texas Super Kings
177/8(20.0ov)
Seattle Orcas
140/9(20.0ov)

Texas Super Kings beat Seattle Orcas by 37 runs

Right then, that's it from this final group stage game, where the Texas Super Kings secured two more points and will head into the playoffs of this second season of Major League Cricket. The excitement continues with the first knockout game, the Eliminator, scheduled for Thursday, July 25th. In this high-stakes match, the Texas Super Kings will face off against MI New York for a coveted spot in the Qualifier. The first ball is set to be bowled at 6 am IST (12.30 am GMT), but be sure to tune in earlier for all the pre-match buildup. Until then, cheers and goodbye!
Faf du Plessis, the skipper of the Texas Super Kings says it was important for a few guys to get time in the middle and they decided to change the batting order a bit to make sure they head into the crucial stage with good momentum. Further adds that they focused on getting the small things right heading into the big Eliminator in a day's time.
Heinrich Klaasen, the skipper of Seattle Orcas says it has been a tough and difficult season for them. Adds that with a few guys being injured, it is quite difficult to find the concrete 11. Informs that the bowling group has been fantastic, but the batting group were the ones who could not make it count. Adds that it is very tough to find the rhythm of the game in just seven matches. States that they can make some investments in a couple of players. Concludes that it is not doom and gloom for the franchise and hopes to reset and re-focus for the next season.
Calvin Savage is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his outstanding all-round performance. He says it was good fun after having put in so much hard work it felt very good. Adds that he tried to keep things simple in the middle and stay positive and it paid well for him with the bat. Further says he tries to vary the pace and keep it tight using long boundaries to his advantage. Concludes that he will try to keep things the same going ahead.
Its time for the presentation ceremony..
Earlier in the game, Ayan Desai gave the Seattle Orcas a perfect start by dismissing Devon Conway on the very first ball of the innings. Cameron Gannon then joined the fray, taking another wicket in his first over. Despite these early setbacks, Faf du Plessis kept his intentions clear and continued to score from one end for TSK, but he lost his wicket just before the end of the powerplay. The Texas Super Kings kept losing wickets in the middle around Milind Kumar who looked steady in his outing but couldn't carry on after getting himself off to a good start. TSK however managed to get back on track in the final few overs, thanks to a blistering onslaught from Calvin Savage, who remained unbeaten with 45 off just 27 balls. He received valuable support from Cameron Stevenson, helping TSK reach a competitive total of 177 runs. For the Seattle Orcas, Keemo Paul and Ayan Desai had standout performances, each claiming two wickets.
Ottneil Baartman stood out with impressive figures of 3 for 20 for the Texas Super Kings. Alongside him, the other bowlers chipped in to ensure the job was done. Noor Ahmad was a mystery for the Orcas batters, ending with a couple of wickets, while Calvin Savage also claimed two wickets. Despite a few missed chances in the field, the Texas Super Kings will be mighty pleased with their efforts, particularly their comeback with the bat. They will now carry this momentum into the all-important eliminator.
Heinrich Klaasen, on whom the game was resting, once again failed to make his presence felt, extending his dry run with another low score and putting the Orcas in an even deeper hole. The Texas Super Kings' spinners compounded the Orcas' struggles, making run-scoring increasingly difficult. Shubham Ranjane and Keemo Paul fought back with a 39-run partnership, attempting to take on a few bowlers in the middle overs. However, with the asking rate soaring, it became an insurmountable task, resulting in another defeat for the Orcas. This marked their sixth loss in seven games, ending the tournament on a forgettable note.
Ottneil Baartman gave the Super Kings a perfect start by claiming the wicket of Ryan Rickelton on the very first ball of the innings. Despite a gritty partnership between Quinton de Kock and Shehan Jayasuriya, the bowlers kept things tight, building pressure on the batters. This pressure led to the fall of a couple more wickets before the halfway mark, further complicating the chase for the Seattle Orcas.
It has been an outstanding bowling effort from the Texas Super Kings that has secured them another victory heading into the knockout stage, as they triumph over the Seattle Orcas by 37 runs.
In over# 20
1
1
4
1wd
0
0
1
Marcus Stoinis 25/0(3)
19.6
1
Slower and shorter, around leg. Burger lofts it towards long on. They take a single. TEXAS SUPER KINGS WIN BY 37 RUNS.
19.5
1
A single this time as Ayan Desai drives this full ball to mid off.
19.4
4
FOUR! WOW! How has he played this one. Marcus Stoinis goes full, wide outside off. Desai comes across a long way and clips it through square leg. It races away.
19.4
1wd
WIDE! Marcus Stoinis errs in his line this time and the umpire signals it as a wide.
19.3
.
A dipping delivery this time, around off. Desai gets it to the left of the bowler off the inner half.
19.2
.
It is full, outside off. Desai comes across and tries to scoop it away but the ball dies off the inside edge.
19.1
1
A single now as Burger knocks this full ball into covers.
In over# 19
0
0W
1
0W
1
4
Ottneil Baartman 20/3(4)