MI New York vs Washington Freedom, MLC 2023, Today Match Prediction 24 July 2023

miny vs waf Match Prediction & Analysis

MI New York have just won one game this season so far while losing two. They are in 5th place at the points table with two points and a net run rate of 1.100. With two games remaining, they still have a chance of making it to the qualifiers. MI’s next clash is against Washington Freedom, who are comfortably placed in 2nd place with six points from four matches and a net run rate of 0.575.

TEAMS PREVIEW

MI New York Preview

MI New York are coming off a 17-run loss against Texas Super Kings. Chasing a target of 155 at Grand Prairie Stadium, they could only manage 137-8 after a poor batting show. 

MI really needs to get their batting right, or the season will slip from their hands. After three matches, their leading run-getter is Tim David (125 runs at a strike rate of 184), who bats lower down the order. Nicholas Pooran has only managed 97 runs so far from 3 matches at a strike rate of 121.

The management dropped Dewald Brevis after two underwhelming performances. However, the young and dashing opener is someone who can change the game with his quick starts. Perhaps it would be prudent to bring him back for the next two games.

MI’s bowling attack has been led admirably by Trent Boult (6 wickets in 3 matches at an economy of 7.10) and Kagiso Rabada (6 wickets in 3 matches at an economy of 7.09). They are two of the best fast bowlers in the world right now and provide much-needed bite to the bowling unit. However, apart from these two, MI’s bowling looks rather tame.

MI New York Predicted Playing XI:

Dewald Brevis, Monank Patel, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Kieron Pollard (c), Tim David, Hammad Azam, Shayan Jahangir, Ehsan Adil, Trent Boult, Kagiso Rabada, Nosthush Kenjige

MI New York Actual Playing XI:

Timothy David, Kieron Pollard, David Wiese, Nicholas Pooran, Nosthush Kenjige, Hammad Azam, Ehsan Adil, Monank Patel, Trent Boult, Rashid Khan, Shayan Jahangir

Washington Freedom Preview

After losing their first match Seattle Orcas, Washington Freedom have won three matches on the trot. They are coming off a 30-run victory against San Francisco Unicorns in a low-scoring affair at Church Street Park. After being asked to bat first, Washington Freedom posted 133-8 on the board and then bowled the Unicorns out for just 103. 
Left-arm seamer Saurabh Netravalkar was the destroyer-in-chief, picking up 6 wickets for just 9 runs from 3.5 overs. It was the bowling performance of the tournament and would have given the team’s bowling attack even more confidence going ahead.

Other than Saurabh, Washington Freedom also have Marco Jansen (6 wickets in 4 matches at an economy of 7.97) and left-arm spinner Akeal Hosein (5 wickets in 4 matches at an economy of 8) to depend on. Anrich Nortje may have taken only two wickets so far, but we are backing the pace bowler to make an impact in this match.

Washington Freedom’s batting has largely revolved around openers Matthew Short (130 runs in 4 matches at a strike rate of 132.65) and Andries Gous (98 runs in 4 matches at a strike rate of 140). Captain Moises Henriques (91 runs in 4 matches at a strike rate of 111) has provided stability in the middle order, but the team seriously lacks a proper finisher. This is something that may cost them dearly at a crucial stage in in the tournament. 

Washington Freedom Predicted Playing XI:

Matthew Short, Andries Gous (wk), Mukhtar Ahmed, Glenn Phillips, Moises Henriques (c), Obus Pienaar, Marco Jansen, Akeal Hosein, Dane Piedt, Anrich Nortje, Saurabh Netravalkar

Washington Freedom Actual Playing XI:

Saurabh Netravalkar, Anrich Nortje, Akeal Hosein, Matthew Short, Marco Jansen, Glenn Phillips, Obus Pienaar, Andries Gous, Mukhtar Ahmed, Moises Henriques, Dane Piedt

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS

Weather Conditions

The pitch at Church Street Park is a balanced one, but does seem to be getting slower as the tournament goes along. It isn’t the easiest pitch to bat on. Batters can’t simply hit through the line here and would need to get used to the pace and bounce of the surface before they can start attacking. Seamers will have a great time here so it would be prudent to pack the team with good fast bowlers.

The weather in Morrisville during the match is expected to be cloudy with chances of a thunderstorm in the late afternoon.

Venue Details

The highest total batting first at Church Street Park this season is 175-7 by Los Angeles Knight Riders. However, the total was overhauled with ease by Washington Freedom with almost two overs remaining. The pitch has gotten slower as the tournament has progressed, and the team batting first would look to set a target of around 160-170 runs.

Toss: To Bowl

Out of the three matches at Church Street Park in this tournament, two have been won by the team chasing. Also, with chances of rain in the latter half of the day of the match, it looks likely that the side winning the toss is likely to bowl first in this game.