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Orcas fizzle as Hetmyer’s streak ends in crushing defeat to Freedom
Written by Sherdon Cowan. Posted in T20s. | 05 July 2025 | 705 Views
Tags: Glenn Maxwell, Seattle Orcas, Shimron Hetmyer, Washington Freedom

After three electrifying match-winning knocks that breathed life into the Seattle Orcas' campaign, Shimron Hetmyer’s golden run came to a screeching halt, and so did his team’s momentum, in a lopsided eight-wicket defeat to Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket action at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground on Friday.

Hetmyer, who had been the catalyst in the Orcas’ resurgence following a five-match losing skid, failed to ignite the innings this time, and with him gone early, the Orcas’ fragile batting line-up crumbled spectacularly for a paltry 82. Washington Freedom needed just 9.2 overs to chase down the target as they moved up to second on the points table, while Orcas remained clinging to fourth place with their playoff hopes still alive, but dented.

Scores: Seattle Orcas 82 all out (17.4 overs); Washington Freedom 86-2 (9.2 overs)

The tone of the match was set from the very first ball after Freedom won the toss and opted to bowl. Left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar dismissed Shayan Jahangir (zero) with the opening delivery of the game, and from there, it was a procession. Glenn Maxwell rolled back the years with a spellbinding four-over burst that ripped through the middle order to finish with 3-12. His scalps included Aaron Jones (five), Steven Taylor (one), and Kyle Mayers (one).

By the end of the powerplay, the Orcas were reeling at 21-5. Only Heinrich Klaasen offered any resistance, as he smashed four sixes in a 39-ball 48, but he was left stranded as wickets tumbled around him. Hetmyer (five) fell victim to a sharp catch behind by Andries Gous off Jack Edwards, who himself bagged 3-19 in a fiery spell. Netravalkar returned to clean up the tail end with 3-13.

With the pressure of a small chase eased by the carnage before them, Freedom’s batters cruised. Although Sikandar Raza managed to remove Mitchell Owen (six) early, Rachin Ravindra, with 32 off 23, and Mukhtar Ahmed, who ended unbeaten on 36 off 21, ensured there would be no drama. They raced to 50 inside the powerplay and needed just 3.2 overs more to close out the contest. Gous added the finishing touch with a crisp boundary to complete the rout.