By Tim Douglas 
Glenn Maxwell’s Firestorm Buries Knight Riders in Crushing MLC Defeat
Washington Freedom sent a powerful statement in their MLC campaign as skipper Glenn Maxwell produced a T20 masterclass, hammering a breathtaking 106* off just 49 balls to lead his side to a commanding 113-run win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders.
It was a must-win clash for both sides in Oakland, but only one team showed up when it mattered.
Early Jitters, Maxwell Magic
The defending champions didn’t get off to the smoothest start after losing Rachin Ravindra in the opening over. Yet, Mitchell Owen and Andries Gous injected early energy with a flurry of boundaries, racing to 35 in just two overs.
However, the Knight Riders clawed their way back into the contest, dismissing both batters quickly and putting the Freedom under pressure at 48/3.
With Mark Chapman and Jack Edwards struggling to score freely, the innings looked to be stalling. But when Glenn Maxwell walked in, the script flipped entirely.
The Maxwell Effect
Initially cautious, Maxwell absorbed the pressure before unleashing a devastating assault. His fireworks began in the 14th over when he blasted Tanveer Sangha for three consecutive sixes. Then, the floodgates opened.
From overs 15 to 20, Maxwell launched a relentless attack, belting 10 sixes and completing his maiden MLC century in spectacular fashion. He propelled Washington to 208/5, a total that proved well beyond reach for the floundering Knight Riders.
Knight Riders Collapse Again
Chasing a daunting total, LA’s top order crumbled under scoreboard pressure. Saurabh Netravalkar drew first blood, aided by a superb catch from Obus Pienaar to remove Alex Hales for a duck.
There was no respite for the Knight Riders as Unmukt Chand and Sunil Narine followed in quick succession. A brief 35-run stand between Saif Badar and Jason Holder offered a flicker of hope, but it was extinguished rapidly.
Mitchell Owen and Jack Edwards, already stars with the bat, returned to haunt LAKR with the ball, each grabbing three wickets as the Knight Riders were bundled out for just 95 runs.
Looking Ahead
With their third loss in a row, the Knight Riders’ campaign is in disarray. Meanwhile, Washington Freedom find momentum heading into their clash against the Texas Super Kings this Saturday in Dallas.
LAKR, desperate for a turnaround, will face the Seattle Orcas on Sunday—hoping to avoid a fourth straight defeat in Major League Cricket 2025.
Match Summary:
Washington Freedom 208/5 (Maxwell 106*, Owen 32; Sangha 2/38, Dry 2/33)
LA Knight Riders 95 all out (Badar 32, Holder 23; Edwards 3/15, Owen 3/18, Netravalkar 2/6)
Result: Washington Freedom won by 113 runs.
Anas Ahmed 
Zainab Shafiq