The San Francisco Unicorns made a dazzling debut at the Oakland Coliseum on June 12, igniting enthusiasm in the Bay Area with their first-ever Major League Cricket (MLC) home game. They faced off against the Washington Freedom and secured an impressive victory by a staggering 123 runs. The highlight of the night was undoubtedly Kiwi sensation Finn Allen, who blitzed his way to a jaw-dropping score of 151 runs off just 51 balls. His performance not only shattered records but also helped the Unicorns set an astonishing MLC total of 269 runs.
With actor and team ambassador Kunal Nayyar in the stands offering support, Allen wasted no time in showcasing his talent. He hit a massive six off Ben Sears in only the second over, setting the tone for what would be a thrilling innings. Partnering with fellow New Zealander Tim Seifert, who added a swift 18 runs, Allen and his teammates raced to 65 runs in just five overs, capturing the crowd’s excitement right from the start.
The buzz in the stadium grew even louder when local hero Sanjay Krishnamurthi stepped onto the pitch after Jake Fraser-McGurk’s dismissal. Krishnamurthi electrified the crowd by hammering three consecutive sixes against Rachin Ravindra, propelling the score further. Alongside Allen, he contributed to a fast-paced innings that saw them reach 150 runs in no time. Krishnamurthi’s fiery contribution of 36 from just 20 balls came to an end when he was caught by Glenn Maxwell at the boundary.
As the game progressed, debutant Cooper Connolly joined Allen, who by now had already clinched his second century in the MLC, achieved at a breathtaking pace—just 34 balls! Allen’s six-hitting spree continued before he eventually fell for a remarkable 151 runs. The duo of Hassan Khan and captain Corey Anderson took over, steering the team to an MLC-record total of 269 runs for five wickets.
In response, the Washington Freedom came out swinging, with Mitchell Owen and Ravindra launching a bold counterattack that scored 63 runs in just four overs. However, that momentum was short-lived; Plunkett’s clever bowling saw Ravindra dismissed for a quick-fire 42, thanks to a stunning boundary catch by Fraser-McGurk.
The tides turned dramatically when Owen got run out for 39 after a costly mix-up, leading to a cascade of wickets. Haris Rauf stepped up and made his mark by removing Maxwell LBW and swiftly bowling Glenn Phillips for a golden duck. The Washington Freedom’s middle and lower order faltered under the mounting pressure, as Khan and Le Roux struck repeatedly. USA international Andries Gous and Jack Edwards managed to briefly hold off the onslaught, but their dismissals sealed the Freedom’s fate.
Rauf, Khan, and Le Roux executed a clean sweep, bowling out Washington for just 146 runs and sealing an impressive 123-run victory—the Unicorns’ first win at the Coliseum. As they celebrate this significant achievement, the team shifts their focus to an electrifying upcoming matchup against the LA Knight Riders in what is dubbed the “California Clash.”
Image Source: Finn Allen @ Instagram
