Seattle Orcas’ big test against Washington is a must-win game 

MATCH PREVIEW     

We are in the final few league games in the Major League Cricket 2025. We already have three teams in the playoffs, and three other teams will fight hard for the fourth spot. Washington Freedom will look to build momentum for the playoffs, having already qualified as they meet the Seattle Orcas in the 26th game. Washington Freedom lost to the Texas Super Kings in the last game, but they have shown consistency this year. They will start with better odds thanks to their powerful batting lineup. The Seattle Orcas defeated the San Francisco Unicorns in their last game but will face pressure in this must-win contest. They lost to Washington in the earlier league game, and it will be interesting to see if they can bounce back here.  

Washington Freedom Preview      

Glenn Maxwell's team went down against the Texas Super Kings by 43 runs in the last game. The team would consider itself unlucky as rain-reduced 5-over games are often a lottery, and two bad overs cost them dearly. They have shown consistency this year and are already through to the next round. The team will start ahead of the Orcas on cricket betting sites in this game. Maxwell expects a strong show from his players as they look to build momentum ahead of the playoffs.  

Mitchell Owen has made 295 runs this season, and the team would like to see him put up a big partnership with Rachin Ravindra. Glenn Maxwell adds spark to the middle order and must build partnerships with Glenn Phillips and Andries Gous. Jack Edwards and Obus Pienaar must use the long handle in the lower middle order, as the wicket in Florida can be tricky and put batsmen under pressure.  

Saurabh Netravalkar and Lockie Ferguson will enjoy bowling in these conditions, and the team expects them to make early inroads. Jack Edwards has bowled well in the tournament, and the side expects him to apply pressure in the middle overs with Mitchell Owen. Maxwell, Ravindra, and Ian Holland add depth to the attack, and they will look to deliver in their supporting roles.  

Expected Starting XI for Washington Freedom     

Glenn Maxwell (c), Rachin Ravindra, Mitchell Owen, Jack Edwards, Andries Gous (wk), Glenn Phillips, Mukhtar Ahmed, Obus Pienaar, Ian Holland, Lockie Ferguson, Saurabh Netravalkar  

Seattle Orcas Preview      

Sikandar Raza and his men will be confident. After five consecutive losses that saw them fall behind in cricket betting apps, the team has won its last three games. It was a clinical performance from the team in the last game against the San Francisco Unicorns. They must build on the 4-wicket win and deliver a similar show here to win and book a berth in the next round.   

Steven Taylor and Shayan Jahangir will face a strong new-ball attack, and the team expects them to deliver a flying start. Kyle Mayers hasn’t been in the best form and must do well in the middle order with Shimron Hetmyer and Sikandar Raza. The team expects quick runs from Heinrich Klaasen and Aaron Jones in the lower middle order.  

The bowling attack must strike early to create a chance for itself in this game. Harmeet Singh and Mayers must strike early to put the team in a commanding position. Ayan Desai and Gerald Coetzee play a crucial role in the middle overs, as their opponents have strong hitters. Waqar Salamkheil and Raza must do well in the supporting roles to keep the scoring in check.   

Expected Starting XI for Seattle Orcas     

Sikandar Raza (c), Aaron Jones, Shayan Jahangir (wk), Kyle Mayers, Steven Taylor, Shimron Hetmyer, Heinrich Klaasen, Gerald Coetzee, Ayan Desai, Harmeet Singh, Waqar Salamkheil 

TOSS: To Bowl First      

We expect a tricky surface where the ball will do a lot in the early overs. The batting conditions will improve as the game progresses. The side winning the toss would look to capitalize on the conditions by bowling first.  

PITCH AND WEATHER CONDITIONS      

There are predictions for rain in Florida. It may be a challenging track to bat on under these conditions. However, we expect the wicket to be flat, allowing batsmen to play their strokes on the rise. The side batting first would have to score 170 runs or more to feel comfortable here.   

OUR PREDICTION      

The Seattle Orcas have made a strong comeback in the last three games, but the team still has its fate hanging in the balance. The middle order and bowling attack haven’t been consistent, and the team needs a good show in these two areas to win. The Washington Freedom have looked good with the bat and have won six out of eight games. It will be a close contest, but the Washington Freedom has an edge.  

Our prediction is for Washington Freedom to win