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| @Matthew Short playing a shot during his 93-run innings vs Mi New york MLC2025 |
Match Preview:
Unicorns vs MI New York (14 th Match, MLC 2025)
Date & Venue: The game was played on June 23 24, 2025, at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
Outcome: San Francisco Unicorns scored 246/4 in the first innings; MI New York responded with 199/6- the Unicorns won by 47 runs.
Unicorns record: Played five matches, won them all, are at the top of the table with a net run rate of +2.67. MI New York are 1-4 and in the fourth place.
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Unicorns Batting Genius- 246/4
- Explosive Powerplay:
- Matthew Short and Tim Seifert, who opened the batting, came out on the attack, scoring 63/0 in the first 6 overs. Seifert was dismissed off 22 runs, bowled by Short who kept gaining momentum.
- Short and Jake Fraser‑McGurk stitched together a blistering 50 run partnership in the time it took them to bat 23 balls.
- Vintage Knock by Matthew Short:
- Arrived as opener, hit a scorching 91 off 43 balls, including boundaries and easy sixes (14 boundaries in all)
- He scored his half-century in the 22nd ball alone hitting two straight sixes that were disarming before being bowled out by Kieron Pollard.
- Fraser‑McGurk’s Carnage:
- Jake Fraser-McGurk incinerated 64 off only 26 balls with seven maximums and exhibited unstoppable power-hitting.
- Late Flourish:
- Sanjay Krishnamurthi (27* off 16) and Hassan Khan (31* off 9) added 64 runs in the last five overs, and the total reached above 245 runs after the two big wickets fell.
- List of Batting Highlights Summary
Player Score (Balls) Note
Matthew Short 91 (43) (14Boundary) Player of the match
Jake Fraser-McGurk 64 (26) 7 sixes Fiery middle-order influence
Sanjay Krishnamurthi 27* (16) End-of-the-game appearance
Hassan Khan 31* (9) Fired in style
Chase - 199/6 (MI New York)
- Explosive Start:
- The two openers Quinton de Kock (70 off 46) and Monank Patel (60 off 33) blasted off with a rapid fire partnership of 119 runs in 9.3 overs and were galloping towards the 100 run mark.
- Collapse in the Middle Overs:
- Liam Plunkett destroyed the partnership by sending Patel back to the pavilion; Nicholas Pooran who toiled along with only 9 runs out of 17 balls slowed down the pace, increasing the required rate.
- The chase was not assisted by pooran who had to strike only two sixes in the tournament.
- The loss of wickets of de Kock and Michael Bracewell in the beginning of the 17 th over derailed momentum
- Too Late Heroics:
- Kieron Pollard provided some fireworks in the death overs of 34 off 16, with two sixes and two fours in his 19 th over, but the damage was already done.
- On 199/6 (47 short of the 247-run target), MI New York were dismissed.
Batting Summary of MI New York:
Player Score Notes
Quinton de Kock 70 (46) Firmly-grounded chase anchored
Monank Patel 60 (33) Stole game at an early stage
Nicholas Pooran 9 (17) Could not get his form back
Kieron Pollard 34* (16) Didn't have time to alter destiny with a late cameo
Bowling & Fielding Analysis
- Bowling Attack SFU:
- Shepherd got 2/30, Bartlett 2/35, Plunkett got the wicket of Patel and Rauf came in with crucial wickets--a good all round discipline.
- MI NY Bowling:
- SFU was headed by Kieron Pollard 2/31 as the leading wicket taker, with the others having the odd breakthrough.
- Player of the Match:
Captain Matthew Short was awarded Player of the Match after his sparkling innings: 91 runs off 43 balls, which got the innings going, and was the difference in the win.
What it means to MLC 2025 Standings:
- The Unicorns have an undefeated streak now with 5 wins to 0 losses and the only side with a net run rate of +2.67 and this has moved them to the top of the table and the favourites.
- The MI New York settle at fourth place with one win in five matches trying to revive their pace.
Moments Turning & Tactical Insights:
- SFU indomitable power hitting: As evident by their consistent 200 plus scores (in four out of five games), it is clear that SFU has a premeditated plan to hit big in the first innings.
- Hot-shot alliances: The Short-Fraser McGurk axis flared up, and exerted control before MI NY was in establishment.
- MI NY middle overs breakdown: Although they came out with a bang, they failed to kick it up the notch after the powerplay.
- Pressure bowling: SFU bowlers showed the ability to grind it out at the crucial moments as they broke the chase at crucial intervals.
Final Thoughts:
San Francisco Unicorns played almost a perfect game: scorching batting in the top-order, the momentum in the middle-order, and the smart bowling in retaliation. The defeat of MI New York highlights a larger problem- the inability to keep up the pressure through out the innings even with sensational performances by their top order.
With this, the Unicorns have become the team to watch out in MLC 2025. Their next match is against the Seattle Orcas and this is a match where this trend may continue and they may have a very long unbeaten run and be on a very good run on the title.
Brief Scores :
San francisco Unicorns Innings: 246/4 (20 Overs) Matt Short 91 off 43 Balls (9 Fours & 5 Sixes), Jake Fraser-McGurk 64 off 26 Balls (1 Four & 7 Sixes).
Mi New York Bowling: Kieron Pollard 2/31 (3 Overs) , Naveen-ul-Haq 1/33 (3.2 Overs)
Mi New York Innings: Quinton de Kock 70 off 46 Balls (8 Fours & 2 Sixes), Monank Patel 60 off 33 Balls(10 Four & 1 Six).
San Francisco Unicorns Bowling: Xavier Bartlett 2/35 (4 Overs), Romario Shepherd 2/30 (4 Overs)
Player of the Match: Matthew Short
Result: San Francisco Unicorns Won by 47 runs.
Tags:
M Short shines again