[Watch] Steve Smith pulls off scoop six to reach half-century in WAF-SFU MLC 2024 clash

Washington Freedom (WAF) skipper Steve Smith continued his imperious form in the 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) with a second consecutive half-century in their final group stage clash against San Fransisco Unicorns in Dallas. The 35-year-old reached his fifty with an innovative scoop shot off Juanoy Drysdale that traveled over the fine leg boundary for a maximum on Monday, July 22.

Smith brought up his half-century in only 23 deliveries. His ability to shuffle across and scoop a length delivery over fine leg drew massive cheers from the crowd.

Here is a video of Smith's majestic stroke to bring up 50:

Smith was eventually dismissed for 56 off 31 deliveries, with the knock including five boundaries and four sixes. It took his tournament tally to 247 runs (third on the leaderboard) at an average of 61.75 and a strike rate of 144.44 in seven outings.

His opening partner Travis Head scored a half-century of his own to become the second-leading run-scorer of the competition. The duo propelled WAF to a formidable 174/3 in the 16th over when rain halted play and brought the innings to a close.

However, the weather finally relented.SFU have been given a revised target of 177 in 14 overs to win.

WAF look to finish group stage unbeaten

The WAF-SFU clash is inconsequential to the MLC 2024 playoff bracket, with WAF already confirmed to finish on top of the points table and SFU second. However, by successfully defending 177 in 14 overs, WAF can finish the group stage unbeaten, having won all five completed games thus far in the season.

These two teams will face each other in the Qualifier on July 25 for a direct entry into the finale.

WAF began their defense of the mammoth total in style by removing the dangerous Fin Allen off the first delivery of the run-chase. Yet, SFU have arrested the momentum back with a flurry of boundaries to reach 32/1 after three overs.

SAF have lost only one out of their five completed group stage games to the Texas Super Kings (TSK) at the start of the season.