LAKR vs SOR, MLC 2023: The Tournament is becoming fiery with each passing day & one such enthralling clash will be played today between Los Angeles Knight Riders & Orcas Seattle. The fixture is a dead rubber for Los Angeles Knight Riders who are lagging at the points table with four consecutive losses. Thus the result of this fixture couldn’t do any good to Knight Riders’ fortunes. But they would aim to end the tournament with at least one win in their kitty. On the other hand, Orcas are at the top of the Points Table with three wins out of three fixtures in their kitty. They are already qualified for the knockout stage.
LAKR vs SOR: TEAMS PREVIEW
Los Angeles Knight Riders Preview
Los Angeles Knight Riders have to figure out loopholes in their strategy as the MLC 2023 is nearing its end & still LAKR is unable to register their maiden win of the tournament. Though they possess batters like Jason Roy, Rilee Rossouw, Andre Russell, and Sunil Narine none of them could do much difference.
They are coming into this clash on the back of a six-wicket loss against Washington Freedom at Church Street Park. They posted a huge 175-run total on board after being asked to bat first, thanks to Russell’s gleaming unbeaten 70-run knock of 37 balls. Russell’s swashbuckling batting guided the Riders to a decent total. But their bowling attack failed to defend the total which resulted in Washington Freedom winning the fixture with 11 balls to spare.
In the batting order, Russell would be their biggest bet with 169 runs in 4 matches at a strike rate of 164. He should bat in the top order to provide the team with a good start. Rossouw who returned with figures of 41 off 30 balls along with Jason Roy will be vital in LAKR’s batting order. If the trio gets successful in scoring runs then there are chances for Los Angeles Knight Riders to end the tournament on a high note.
In the bowling department, leg-spinner Adam Zampa who has faired in the tournament with seven wickets in four matches at an economy of 8.73 will continue to be their major asset. He could get good support from fast bowler Ali Khan who has scalped four wickets at an enticing economy of 11.25. They would aim to produce spell-bounding performances & end the tournament with at least one point in their kitty.
Seattle Orcas Preview
Seattle Orcas have almost qualified for the knockouts after winning three fixtures in a row. They would aim to end their league stage by winning the last fixture against fragile LAKR. In their previous clash against Texas Kings, they managed to win the fixture by chasing a target of 128 runs in just 16 overs.
Initially, their bowling unit led by skipper Wayne Parnell returned with a figure of 5-20, dismantling the Texas Kings batting order. He now bags 7 wickets in three fixtures at an economy of 9.09. The team also witnessed standout performances from inform bowlers Gannon (6 wickets in 3 matches at an economy of 7.35) and Andrew Tye (5 wickets in 3 matches at 6.18). The trio makes the Seattle Orcas bowling attack formidable.
In the batting order, De Kock who bounced back in the last fixture will aim to do the same in today’s fixture. With 53 runs off 36 balls, Kock provided Seattle the much-needed momentum in their run-chase of 128 runs. He got the valuable support of Klaasen who returned with figures of 42 off 21 balls. Shimron Hetmyer missed the last fixture but has a stunning score of 49 runs in two fixtures at a strike rate of 120.40.
He would aim to make a comeback with good scores in the last game of their league stage fixture. Nauman Anwar (97 runs in three fixtures) will have the onus to provide Orcas with a good start as the mainstream opener of the team. Overall Orcas have a settled batting unit with big names doing wonders for them. They would aim to end their league stage with an unbeaten record.
LAKR vs SOR: Match Details
Date & Time: July 23, 10:00 PM IST
Venue: Church Street Park, Morrisville
Live Streaming and Broadcast: Jio Cinema and Sports 18
LAKR vs SOR: Pitch report
The pitch at Chruch Street Park is a bonus for both batters & bowlers. The pitch has to offer more to the seamers as was visible in the last clash. But batters will continue to have a good run once settled on the pitch. Coming to the weather, it is more likely to be cloudy with chances of thunderstorms in the later part of the fixture.
Players to Watch Out for
Andre Russell
The go & getter of LAKR, Andre Russell will be the biggest bet in their last fixture of the league stage. With 169 runs in 4 matches, Russell has displayed a good show throughout the tournament. He will aim to provide his team with an ideal ending & end the tournament with at least some points in their kitty.
Wayne Parnell
The ship-bearer of Seattle Orcas, Parnell will be the Orcas’ trump card in their last fixture of the league stage. He has so far been one of the best bowlers for Orcas returning with seven wickets in three fixtures. He will try & continue to do the same in today’s crucial fixture against LAKR.
LAKR vs SOR: Predicted Playing XIs
Los Angeles Knight Riders
Jason Roy, Unmukt Chand, Nitish Kumar, Rilee Rossouw, Jaskaran Malhotra (wk), Andre Russell, Sunil Narine (c), Corne Dry, Adam Zampa, Ali Khan, Spencer Johnson
Seattle Orcas Predicted
Quinton de Kock (wk), Nauman Anwar, Shehan Jayasuriya, Heinrich Klaasen, Dasun Shanaka/Shimron Hetmyer , Shubham Ranjane, Imad Wasim, Cameron Gannon, Wayne Parnell (c), Harmeet Singh, Andrew Tye
Final Prediction:
Looking at the stats & figures of MLC 2023, it seems clear that Seattle Orcas can easily outclass Los Angeles Knight Riders in the last league stage fixture of MLC 2023.
Also read, IND A vs PAK A, ACC Emerging Asia Cup 2023 Final Prediction
