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 defeat the Washington Freedom by 18 runs in a Major League Cricket (MLC) match at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas on Friday.The win gave the Knight Riders two crucial points and lifted them to third place in the standings with eight points from eight games and a net run rate of +0.187. The Washington Freedom also had eight points. They are in fifth place due to a low net run 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 a shaky start with Colin Munro and Andre Russell departing inside the first two overs. However, Andre Fletcher and Matthew Tromp continued the innings with a strong 110-run partnership.Fletcher top-scored with 59 off 40 balls, hitting four fours and three sixes, while Tromp made 50 from 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 picked up three wickets, while Ben Dwarshuis and Mitchell Owen claimed two each.
Narine’s economical spell
Chasing 192/8 by Los Angeles Knight Riders, Washington Freedom could not recover after Narine’s spectacular spell in the Powerplay.The veteran spinner finished with figures of 1/14 in four overs at an incredible economy rate of just 3.50. He removed dangerous opener Mitchell Owen and controlled the scoring, putting pressure on the batters.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 fought hard with 40, while Andries Gous made 37. Ben Dwarshuis chipped in with a quick 19, but the Washington Freedom finished on 174/8.
Narine was named Player of the Match
After receiving the Player of the Match award, Narine explained the change in his bowling role.“(On his new role of bowling in the powerplay). I think it just happened. I think we have to keep the powerplay tighter, and I think we all came together and came up with a game plan. Glad it worked, and may it continue.“(Your mentality when bowling to guys that you know are coming after you, Mitch Owen for example tonight?) No, I think if you focus on the opponents, you will be under pressure. I think you focus on what you can do, focus on the ability you have, and try to execute what you have been practicing. So I think whatever your practice is, you try to execute as well as possible.”The Los Angeles Knight Riders will now take on the San Francisco Unicorns this Saturday at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.