The commentary is not available for this match. Please check the scorecard for latest updates.
That will be all from this game as this is Dwaipayan Mukherjee, signing off with my co-commentator Pragadeesh. Take care!
Washington Freedom (55 for 1 after 7.4 overs) defeat MI New York by 4 runs (DLS Method)
Steve Smith - 46* (28) | Andries Gous - 5* (11) Ehsan Adil - 1/14 | Trent Boult - 0/3
It was the right combination of youth and experience in the opening pair with Smith and Head turning out for Freedom in this chase which saw a couple of very close LBW appeals in the opening over before Head was eventually accounted for, owing to an exceptional Pooran catch behind the stumps.
Ehsan Adil continued his good work from yesterday , starting with a wicket maiden today and there was some excellent fielding as well on show in the early overs which only added to the scoring pressure that the Freedom were subjected to after facing the wicket maiden which was then backed up by 4 consecutive dot balls by Boult in his 2nd over of the innings.
At 4 for 1 after 3 overs, things were looking rather bleak but then arrived the Steve Smith show.
Smith is averaging close to 50 as an opener in the T20 format in 12 innings since 2021 where he has scored more than 530 runs at a very healthy strike rate. There was a counter attack in the 4th over of the chase against Ehsan Adil and then he took Nortje for a couple of boundaries and sixes.
The first 5 overs of Freedom chase saw 21 runs being scored while the last over of the powerplay travelled for 22 runs as the former Aussie skipper scored 38 of the 43 runs which were scored during the fielding restrictions. At the end, that impetus proved match winning as the rain came out of nowhere and the Freedom win by only 4 runs.
18:25 Local Time, 22:25 GMT, 03:55 IST: It's still raining and chances of a resumption look bleak at the moment. We are hearing that this might be called off soon owing to the absolute downpour and heavy lightening.
18:15 Local Time, 22:15 GMT, 03:45 IST: We are beginning to lose overs now.
17:55 Local Time, 21:55 GMT, 03:25 IST: They're placing wooden logs on the covers to ensure that the wind doesn't cause havoc. It looks very dark and damp at the moment with the spectators moving away from the open stands. These are not very encouraging sights for cricketing action to resume in the near future.
We have up till 18:30 Local Time without any loss of overs, after which we will begin seeing the match getting shortened.
17:49 Local Time, 21:49 GMT, 03:19 IST: We see some changes being effected by the groundsmen - The pitch has been covered now. But they've left the square unattended. Don't think it's raining though. We do see visuals of raining at a far away location. There were weather predictions of heavy rains in the radar earlier today. They're bringing in more sheets now and the entire square has been covered. Hoping for all of this to pass soon.
17:43 Local Time, 21:43 GMT, 03:13 IST: PLAY HAS BEEN STOPPED DUE TO LIGHTNING
The umpires have decided to come together and ask the players to stop for the time being. The DLS par score is 51 and we have had 5 overs bowled, so we'll get a result in this game. We will keep you updated with all official information.
There is a bit of rain in the forecast as we see some dark clouds gathering in the far side which might play spoilsport in the next few overs - Freedom have been able to put themselves just ahead of the DLS score, which would constantly keep playing in their minds given the kind of overcast conditions.
7.4 Nosthush Kenjige to Andries Gous, flighted delivery angling outside off, Gous pushes it down to short extra cover
7.3 Nosthush Kenjige to Steve Smith, quicker through the air angling back, nudged to deep mid-wicket for a single
7.2 Nosthush Kenjige to Steve Smith, pitched up angling on a good length, Smith pushes it down to extra cover
7.1 Nosthush Kenjige to Steve Smith, starts with a loose delivery. Short and wide of off, Smith cuts it to the left of deep cover and gets a couple
The boundary that Smith hit in the first ball of the last over against Rashid was his first against the mystery spinner in all of their T20 exchanges till date - the former Aussie skipper has not played a lot of T20 cricket over the last 12 months but he has still been able to step up to the challenge - very assured of his stroke making skills and this is quite a spectacle for the onlookers at the stadium who are usually headed over to the beaches during the weekends but would be happy to make the decision to visit MLC and watch Smith bat!
Nosthush Kenjige, Left arm orthodox, comes into the attack
7
overs
52/1score
4
0
1
0
4
0
runs
Andries Gous*
5(10)
Steven Smith
43(25)
Rashid Khan
0/12
6.6 Rashid Khan to Andries Gous, back of a good length outside off, Gous pushes it down to backward point
6.5 Rashid Khan to Andries Gous, FOUR MORE! Much straighter on this occasion, Gous backs away to punch this past extra cover
6.4 Rashid Khan to Andries Gous, angles the length delivery on leg, Gous gets cramped as the ball strikes his front pad
6.3 Rashid Khan to Steve Smith, flighted delivery on a good length, Smith works it to the off-side for a single
6.2 Rashid Khan to Steve Smith, pitched up angling on middle and leg, Smith pushes it down to short mid-wicket
Smith loves pace, he has grown up in Australia in fast and bouncy pitches so he is never afraid to attack short pitched bowling against Nortje, who deposited some hefty blows himself during his batting earlier in the match.
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Andries Gous
*
Rashid Khan
Video
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Church Street Park, Morrisville
