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Last season’s league stage winners, the Seattle Orcas, started this season really badly but have since recovered to steady the ship as they come up against a Washington Freedom side that appear to be a very impressive unit and squad.
DATE & TIME: Thursday 11th July, 2024 – USA ET – 8:30pm / USA PT – 5:30pm / West Indies – 7:30pm / Friday 12th July, 2024 – UK – 1:30am / South Africa – 2:30am / Pakistan – 5:30am / India – 6:00am / Bangladesh – 6:30am / Australia – 10:30am
VENUE: Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas, Texas, United States
WEATHER: 34c or 93.2 F with clear, sunny skies
HOW TO WATCH ON TV: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – TBA / UK – TNT Sports / South Africa – ESPN / Pakistan – A Sports / India – TBA / Bangladesh – TBA / Australia – N/A
HOW TO WATCH ONLINE: USA – Willow TV / West Indies – TBA / UK – TNT Sports app / South Africa – ESPN+ app / Pakistan – A Sports / India – TBA / Bangladesh – TBA / Australia – Amazon Prime Video
SEATTLE ORCAS FORM: ORCAS’ SEA SAW SWING
In their opening game of the 2024 Major League Cricket season, the Seattle Orcas were skittled for just 108 by MI New York and their opposition, who defeated them in the 2023 final last year, chased that down in 14.2 overs. However, they then produced their only comfortable run chase to reach 169 runs for the loss of just one wicket with an unbeaten Ryan Rickelton century.
LAST THREE: WLLWW
WASHINGTON FREEDOM FORM: PLAYING WITH FREEDOM
A well-rounded and impressive Washington Freedom squad began the campaign with a slender DLS victory over MI New York, defeating the defending champions by four runs with the rain interrupting their chase of 155. After that, the Freedom conceded 203 against Texas Super Kings but had already reached 62-0 in just four overs before the rain once again ended things prematurely.
LAST THREE: AWLLW
SEATTLE ORCAS BETTING ANALYSIS
The Seattle Orcas’ nine-wicket victory against the Los Angeles Knight Riders was, as mentioned, brought about by an excellent knock from Ryan Rickelton whereby he notched 103 not out from 66 balls. The key bit of hope for the Orcas, though, will be that Quinton de Kock being moved down to number three and scoring an unbeaten half-century will provide him with a major confidence boost. De Kock to score 30 or more once again seems a very good bet as he could get onto a positive streak.
With the ball, they remain fairly weak and inexperienced with even the better bowler from the MI New York, Nandre Burger, then going for 0-51 off four overs against LAKR. Zaman Khan took 2-24 against Freedom and backing him to once again be their best bowler is a good bet.
WASHINGTON FREEDOM BETTING ANALYSIS
The Washington Freedom, captained by Steve Smith, were reliant on the steady and experienced hand of Smith to see them through to a DLS win against MI New York. However, their second game is when the fun started with Travis Head on 32 off 12 and Smith 26 from 13 before the rain ended their strong-looking chase. Head has seemingly found some touch again after an impressive ICC T20 World Cup and backing Head to score a half-century would be good value here against what is a weak bowling attack.
With the ball, the Freedom have some truly excellent options with domestic player Saurabh Netravalkar continuing to take wickets. Lockie Ferguson has once again been tight with the ball but hasn’t been overly threatening. Extra pace may suit De Kock and Rickelton, for example, so opting for a spinner to do some damage would be the best bat for this one with Akeal Hosein to take to or more wickets looking a good bet.
SEATTLE ORCAS VS WASHINGTON FREEDOM EXPERT PREDICTION
The Seattle Orcas won their opening five matches of last season before eventually losing to rock-bottom Los Angeles Knight Riders and then that defeat now means they have managed three victories in their last six matches. They now face a Washington Freedom side that have a very impressive looking side, particularly with the ball, whilst they have lots of runs at the top of the order, too. Backing the Washington Freedom looks a good bet for this one.
SEATTLE ORCAS VS WASHINGTON FREEDOM TOP TIP: WASHINGTON FREEDOM TO WIN
