Seattle Orcas (SO) produced a spirited show in Match 22 of Main League Cricket (MLC) 2026 towards Texas Tremendous Kings (TSK), with their bowlers making a direct impression whereas defending a below-par whole of 121. After posting simply 121/9 in 20 overs, the Orcas desperately wanted early breakthroughs, and Ottneil Baartman delivered precisely that with an excellent opening spell.
The South African pacer dismissed each Texas Tremendous Kings openers contained in the Powerplay, nevertheless it was Cameron Gannon’s excellent effort within the discipline that stole the highlight and rapidly made rounds on social media.
Cameron Gannon pulls off a surprising diving catch
The second got here on the ultimate ball of the third over with Baartman bowling to Saiteja Mukkamalla. Bowling a hard-length supply, Baartman pressured the right-hander into an bold pull shot. Mukkamalla didn’t center the ball as the underside hand got here off the bat in the course of the stroke.
The mistimed shot ballooned in direction of brief midwicket, the place Gannon reacted immediately. Charging in from his place, Gannon timed his dive to perfection and accomplished an excellent low catch simply inches above the turf. Baartman celebrated instantly as Mukkamalla departed for six off eight deliveries, giving Seattle Orcas their second wicket inside three overs and placing Texas Tremendous Kings beneath early stress.
Right here’s the video:
Gannon will get his revenge on Mukkamalla 🤝 pic.twitter.com/w5k4PLPvx1
— Cognizant Main League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 5, 2026
Additionally READ: MLC 2026: Dasun Shanaka’s four wickets in four balls helps Seattle Orcas edge past Texas Super Kings in thriller
Seattle Orcas defend 121 in thrilling end
Though Seattle Orcas managed solely 121/9 after struggling a dramatic batting collapse, their bowlers responded brilliantly to script a memorable nine-run victory. Baartman completed with sensational figures of three/9 from his 4 overs, eradicating Faf du Plessis, Mukkamalla and Wiaan Mulder to depart Texas Tremendous Kings struggling all through the chase.
The drama reached one other degree within the closing over when Dasun Shanaka produced some of the exceptional spells in MLC historical past. Defending 11 runs, the Sri Lankan all-rounder dismissed Donovan Ferreira, Calvin Savage, Adam Milne and Amshi de Silva off 4 consecutive deliveries to finish 4 wickets in 4 balls and seal a rare victory for Seattle Orcas. Regardless of Shubham Ranjane’s unbeaten 40, TSK completed on 112/9, falling 9 runs brief as Seattle’s disciplined bowling effort proved decisive in one of many match’s most thrilling encounters.
Additionally READ: Aakash Chopra explains why Rishabh Pant remains out of India’s white-ball squads
