San Francisco Unicorns (SFU) speedster Pat Cummins got the better of his national teammate Steve Smith in the ongoing 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) Qualifier 1 clash. The Australia skipper got the wicket off the first ball of his spell at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
Washington Freedom had the task of chasing down 146 runs for a spot in the final of the second edition of the tournament. The first task the San Francisco Unicorn had in their target defense was to break down the in-form opening partnership between Smith and Travis Head. The pair are among the top three run-scorers in the tournament, placed only behind Faf du Plessis.
After a good tight first over by left-arm pacer Carmi de Loux, Cummins took the new ball from the other end. The right-arm pacer started off with a length delivery outside the off-stump, which Smith looked to wildly heave away with a cross-bat shot.
Although it seemed like Smith only made contact with thin air, it was not the case. Cummins felt he heard a nick while wicketkeeper Josh Inglis felt the same, and prompted skipper Corey Anderson to take a review.
Ultra-Edge showed a spike when the ball made contact with the bat, and that was more than enough to send Smith back into the pavilion.
Have a look at the dismissal right here:
Smith has had a campaign to remember in his maiden stint in the MLC. After not being considered for the Australian side in the 2024 T20 World Cup, the right-handed batter has responded by scoring 248 runs in eight innings at an average of 49.60 and a strike rate of 142.52.
Washington Freedom progressing cautiously in their run chase after Smith’s early dismissal
Opening batter Travis Head has cruised along, recording his half-century in quick time. However, the other batters around him have struggled to make an impression, which keeps the San Francisco Unicorns well in the game.
After Smith, the likes of Andries Gous and Rachin Ravindra departed without hitting double figures.
As of writing, the Washington Freedom are placed at 64-3 after nine overs.
