da luck： Anderson winds back the clock and de Kock impresses with the gloves as a sell-out Texas crowd welcomes the league
da bwin： Ashish Pant17-Jul-2023The firsts…Lockie Ferguson nabbed MLC’s first-ever wicket, off his first ball no less, getting rid of Faf du Plessis for a golden duck. But fittingly, it was Ali Khan, perhaps the most recognisable American star and a Texas local, who delivered the first ball of the tournament. It did not take him long to feature in the wickets column either as he took out Lahiru Milantha, but not before the batter smashed the first six of the competition. Devon Conway hit the first four and became the first man to notch up a fifty in MLC, much to the delight of the local TSK fans, of whom there were plenty on the opening night.Related
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Anderson winds back the clock, gets back-up from ShadabCorey Anderson has a habit of announcing himself in style. Not many can forget his maiden ODI ton when he broke a 17-year-old record for the fastest century in the format’s history. The former New Zealand international, who is now vying for a place in the USA national team, got his MLC career going in style against MI New York, a franchise he has been a part of in the IPL previously.Corey Anderson’s unbeaten 91 was too hot for MI New York•MLCWith San Francisco Unicorns struggling at 22 for 3, which soon became 50 for 4 in seven overs, Anderson was at it from the get-go and found an ally in Shadab Khan. The duo added a 58-ball 129 for the fifth wicket to take SF to 215 for 5, the only 200-plus total so far in MLC. Anderson made an unbeaten 91 off 52, his innings laced with four fours and seven sixes, while Shadab hammered 61 off 30, with four fours and five sixes. MI NY could only manage 193 for 5. Allen slouches, de Kock stunsQuinton de Kock hasn’t fired with the bat yet, but the same can’t be said about his wicketkeeping. He plucked a hat-trick of catches in the 18th over of Seattle’s game against SF, the highlight being the final take which helped his side continue their spotless record. Cameron Gannon got a back-of-a-length ball to rise up sharply at SF’s No.11 Carmi le Roux, who fended at it and seemed to get enough bat to clear de Kock. But the wicketkeeper flung to his right, one-handed with the ball almost behind him to complete a stunning take.Finn Allen made the highlight reel as well, though for entirely different reasons. Chasing 178, SF were off to a flyer, reaching 41 in three overs, thanks largely to Allen taking down Wayne Parnell for 22 in the third over. A couple of balls into the fourth, he tucked a Gannon back-of-a-length ball to the right of midwicket, only to amble across what he felt was an easy run. But Shehan Jayasuriya sensed a chance as he swooped across and fired a throw at the non-striker’s end. Allen was caught off-guard and in response, tried to plonk his bat in, only for it to stick into the turf. The ball hit the stumps and Allen was sent packing. SF’s chase continued to slide thereon.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED
Was this the only way Finn Allen could get out tonight?
HEADS-UP play and a BEAUTIFUL throw from Shehan Jayasuriya!
pic.twitter.com/GZk5bkYG4Q
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 16, 2023