Seattle Orcas vs Washington Freedom, 3rd Match, Major League Cricket 2026 - CommentarySOR vs WAF, 3rd Match, Major League Cricket 2026 - Commentary

All three games so far this season have been won by the chasing side. The batters have had a gala time while the bowlers have disappeared. That's it from us from today's double-header. Tomorrow, another double-header is coming your way. Do join us nice and early. Until next time, goodbye and cheers!

Harmeet Singh | Seattle Orcas captain: (How tough was it for the bowlers out there?) I think it was a good toss to win. Again, the powerplay is a tough one here. I think the way we came back in the innings, there was a phase between overs 6 to 10, and then at the back end from 14 to 16, where we pulled it back and got wickets as well. (On the contrast of setting a target and chasing a target here) I think that's what got us the game. I think the dew kicks in around the 10th over in the second innings, and then the ball just starts sliding and it keeps getting easier. Whereas in the first innings, when it's a drier ball, it starts stopping a little bit more, and that's probably more for the bowlers. That's the whole difference. We couldn't capitalise at the back end yesterday, whereas we could capitalise here at the back end and even through the middle. (On the toss not being a controllable factor) Again, it's about finding ways. First, finding a way in the powerplay and having a good powerplay. We tried to rotate a lot today, and that probably helps in the back end. Again, it's about finding ways. I think the yorker is a good option, which did work for us for the time being. We have to be as unpredictable as possible. (On the importance of today's win) I think it's really good for the confidence of our boys and for our team. We made some changes in our setup, and winning a game helps. I think the environment in the team and the culture we're trying to build is really good. This win moves it forward, and we take that into the next game.

Ottneil Baartman | Most Valuable Player: (On their plans with the ball through the course of the match) Obviously, the powerplay is always up front. We have to contain, but at the same time, we have to take wickets as well. At the halfway stage, we'd obviously try and keep the run rate down a bit. Picking up wickets is the best way of slowing it down, and I think we did that well. (On the surface) Obviously, with the slower balls, it was a bit easier. The surface was assisting the seamers as well. There wasn't a lot of spin, but there was a low, slow bounce, and I tried to exploit it. You try to keep it on the stumps as much as possible, and that makes it difficult for the batters. (On keeping a positive mindset when things are tilted in the batter's favour) Obviously, the ball is flying away from you. It's about keeping yourself calm. It's going to fly anyway. For me personally, it's about staying consistent. Consistency is key. Just doing what I do, getting through it as best as possible and not trying to complicate things. If you commit to one specific goal, one specific spell, that can change the game as well. Like I say, you have to be adaptable, and I think that's what we did tonight. (On how does he maintain his form and stay fit?) I think as we get older, everything gets slower. But yeah, keep the body fit, look after recovery, and hopefully you can keep going for longer.

Steven Smith | Washington Freedom captain: I thought we left ourselves a couple short, actually, from the position we were in. They bowled well at the back end there and got some wickets. But yeah, we sort of set it up and we probably didn't quite execute at the back end as we would have liked. I think 240 or 250 would have been an interesting game. (On whether dew played a factor?) There was a little bit of dew, but I don't think the wicket changed too much throughout. It played pretty good and obviously their top order was outstanding. Seifert was outstanding two nights on the bounce and it was backed up by the others as well. (On their performance) Not the best start for us, but hopefully a few of the cobwebs out now and we can get into our work. We've obviously competed really well the last couple of years and yeah, hopefully we can do that again.

23:39 Local Time, 04:39 GMT, 10:09 IST: It has been a terrific run-chase from the Orcas to get their campaign on track. A flat surface, a lightning quick outfield and small boundaries make it extremely difficult to defend at the Grand Prairie - no score is safe here. Blazing fifties from Owen and Chapman at the top of the order and a brisk cameo from Gous provided Freedom solid momentum but they lost the plot as the ball got older. The Orcas resorted to slower deliveries and those worked to a nicety. From 179/2, they got bowled out for 216. Only 41 runs came off the last six overs and that proved costly for them eventually. Baartman led the comeback in the later stage and finished with a 4-fer to steal the show. In response, Seifert took his side off to a flier. Jahangir fell after a start but Breetzke played the perfect foil to Seifert. 78 runs came off the powerplay and that set the tone for the Orcas. Seifert fell against the run of play but his 33-ball 78-run knock put his side in the driver's seat. Breetzke also fell after a fifty - the Orcas lost three wickets in a space of 9 deliveries and the mini-collapse sparked a glimmer of hope for WAF. But, Shanaka came out with intent and his 12-ball 36-run cameo sealed the deal for his team. Stick around for the presentations...