Seattle Orcas (SO) produced a complete team performance to outclass Washington Freedom (WF) by 88 runs in Match 10 of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2026 season. After posting a mammoth total courtesy of a late batting blitz, the Orcas bowlers ripped through the Freedom batting lineup to register their second victory of the campaign and climb to second place on the points table.
Shimron Hetmyer and Marcus Stoinis propel Seattle Orcas to massive total
After being asked to bat first, Seattle Orcas got off to a solid start as Tim Seifert and Matthew Breetzke ensured the scoreboard kept ticking during the Powerplay. The opening pair helped the Orcas reach 59 without loss in the first six overs before Washington Freedom fought back with a couple of timely wickets to slow the scoring rate.
With the innings delicately poised at the halfway mark, Shimron Hetmyer took complete control. The West Indies star first stitched together a valuable partnership with Breetzke, who contributed a fluent 32, before receiving explosive support from skipper Marcus Stoinis. The Australian all-rounder completely changed the complexion of the innings by smashing 42 off just 16 deliveries, including five sixes in a single over against Ian Holland.
Hetmyer then provided the finishing touches in spectacular fashion. The left-hander remained unbeaten on 79 from only 33 balls and launched three consecutive sixes in the final over to lift Seattle Orcas to a daunting 227/6. For Washington Freedom, Marco Jansen picked up three wickets while Ian Holland claimed two, but both bowlers endured expensive spells during the death overs.
Jasdeep Singh tears through Washington Freedom’s top order
Chasing a massive 228, Washington Freedom suffered a nightmare start as Seattle’s pace attack dismantled the top order inside the Powerplay. Jasdeep Singh struck immediately by removing Steven Smith before returning for a sensational over that saw him dismiss Andries Gous, Glenn Maxwell and Jack Edwards, leaving Freedom reeling at 42/5 after six overs.
The early collapse completely derailed the chase as the middle order failed to rebuild the innings. Mitchell Owen and Jansen also departed cheaply, while Jasdeep completed his five-wicket haul by removing Jansen later in the innings. The left-arm seamer finished with outstanding figures of 5/24, producing one of the finest bowling performances of the MLC 2026 season.
Seattle Orcas seal emphatic victory
With the contest virtually decided inside the first half of the chase, Washington Freedom’s lower order offered some late resistance. Holland and Jansen added useful runs before Amila Aponso entertained with an unbeaten 31 off just 13 deliveries, helping the visitors avoid an even heavier defeat. However, the target proved far beyond their reach as Freedom were bowled out for 139. Besides Jasdeep’s heroics, Gannon Jones chipped in with two wickets to ensure there was no late fightback.
The comprehensive victory lifted Seattle Orcas to second place in the MLC 2026 standings after an inconsistent start to the tournament. While Hetmyer’s breathtaking unbeaten knock laid the foundation for the massive total, it was Jasdeep Singh’s career-defining five-wicket haul that sealed an emphatic 88-run triumph.
