Washington Freedom’s aim for a well-deserved title
| Date | July 29, 2024 |
| Time | 6:00 AM IST |
| Venue | Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas |
| Format | T20 |
| Series | Major League Cricket 2024 |
Betting Odds
Our Predictions
- Travis Head has odds of 3.00 to be the Washington Freedom's best batsman.
- Finn Allen has odds of 3.35 to be the San Francisco Unicorns's best batsman.
- Lockie Ferguson has odds of 3.25 to be Washington Freedom's best bowler
- Haris Rauf has odds of 3.15 to be the San Francisco Unicorns's best bowler
MATCH PREVIEW
The league games are over, and we are done with the playoffs. We are in the mega-final of Major League Cricket 2024. Washinton Freedom, which has shown incredible consistency this year, will take on the San Francisco Unicorns in this game. Washington Freedom starts with higher odds after defeating the Unicorns in the Qualifier game. The San Francisco Unicorns put up a stellar performance in the Challenger to defeat the Texas Super Kings and reach the title match. Both teams have their key players in good form, and we expect a cracker in the contest. The wicket has played well in the last few matches, and we have seen high-scoring contests and expect a run feast in the final.
Washington Freedom Preview
Steven Smith would look for a dream finish in an excellent tournament for the side where they are favorites on cricket betting apps. They have been clinical in almost all games they have played and defeated San Fransisco Unicorns in the Qualifier by 7 wickets. The team will carry this confidence in the final, and Smith wants his team to earn the title they deserve.
The opening pair of Travis Head and Steven Smith have destroyed bowling attacks, and the team needs a strong show from them. Rachin Ravindra will look to anchor the innings in the middle order and add runs with Andries Gous and Glenn Maxwell. Marco Jansen, Obus Pienaar, and Mukhtar Ahmed make a strong batting lineup with their hitting abilities.
Saurabh Netravalkar and Marco Jansen have done well with the new ball, and the pair expects a strong start. Maxwell and Ravindra will look to trouble the Unicorns with their variations in the middle overs. Lockie Ferguson and Ian Holland add teeth to this attack, strengthening it.
Expected Starting XI for Washington Freedom
Steven Smith (c), Andries Gous (wk), Travis Head, Rachin Ravindra, Mukhtar Ahmed, Glenn Maxwell, Obus Pienaar, Ian Holland, Marco Jansen, Saurabh Netravalkar, Lockie Ferguson
San Francisco Unicorns Preview
Corey Anderson wants to carry the momentum from the last game into the final. The side recovered from the loss in the Qualifier against Washinton Freedom and start with lower odds on cricket betting sites. They put on a strong show in the Challenger against the Texas Super Kings, winning by 10 runs. Anderson would like a better show from his bowlers as it is the biggest weakness for the team.
The side wants Finn Allen to deliver a good start with Jake Fraser-McGurk. Finn Allen's hundred sealed the game for the side against the Super Kings. The middle order has shown some inconsistency, and they need partnerships between Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Josh Inglis, and Sherfane Rutherford. Hassan Khan, Anderson, and Pat Cummins will look to add quick runs in the lower middle order.
Bowlers have struggled this season, and early wickets from Pat Cummins and Carmi le Roux must deliver early breakthroughs for the side to put their opponents in a state of bother. Juanoy Drysdale and Hassan Khan must bowl tight spells in the middle overs as they did in the last game. The side needs Haris Rauf and Anderson to get their lines right, as they have struggled.
Expected Starting XI for San Francisco Unicorns
Corey Anderson (c), Jake Fraser-McGurk, Finn Allen, Josh Inglis (wk), Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Sherfane Rutherford, Pat Cummins, Hassan Khan, Haris Rauf, Juanoy Drysdale, Carmi le Roux
TOSS: To Bowl First
Only a few sides have defended totals at this venue successfully. The wicket is tough to bat on in the early overs, but chasing scores has been easy. It is a high-stakes contest, and both teams will look to play it safe and choose to bowl on winning the toss.
PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS
We expect great weather conditions during the game, with clear skies. The last few games have been high-scoring, and batsmen can play their strokes freely on this surface. The side batting first will need 180 runs on the board to feel safe on this track.
OUR PREDICTION
The San Francisco Unicorns delivered a great show with the bat in the last game, and the players will be confident. However, the bowling attack has struggled, a major headache for the team leading up to the final. The performance of their bowlers may decide the outcome of the game. Washington Freedom has top order in good form and firepower in the bowling attack. They have lost only once this season, making them favorites.
Our prediction is for Washington Freedom to win
)
