MLC 2023 | Team Analysis - Washington Freedom

image-lk0wdgzxDale Steyn with Anrich Nortje and Adam Milne for Washington Freedom (Source: Twitter)

Washington Freedom is one of the six teams participating in the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket 2023. The Washington freedom will depict the city of Fairfax, Virginia. Australian polished T20 cricketer Moises Henriques has been named as the captain of Washington Freedom for the MLC 2023. They have appointed Gregory Shipperd as their head coach, also the head coach of Sydney Sixers in the big bash.

Washington Freedom will start their campaign on July 15 when they will face the challenge of Seattle Orcas at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. Let's have a look at how Washington Freedom is shaping up before the tournament. The Washington Freedom have a very strong bowling line-up, consisting of Anrich Nortje, Wanindu Hasaranga, Adam Milne and Marco Jansen. 



They have the bowlers that can trouble any batting heavy side in the competition. Particularly, Nortje and Hasaranga are one of the destructive bowlers currently in T20s, having a good experience of playing different leagues around the world.

Another positive about their squad is the Captain, Moises Henriques has plenty experience of leading the side and also won back-to-back championships with Sydney Sixes in the big bash league. His experience in the middle-order will help the other batters as well.

Nortje's Express Lane: Blazing Through Overs in T20 Showdowns

image-lk0vepjcNortje's Stats in T20 Leagues since 2021

Anrich Nortje can be the X-Factor for Washington Freedom. His numbers are phenomenal in T20 cricket in every phase of the game. During each phase, he has the ability to pick wickets. His numbers for Delhi Capitals and Pretoria Capitals are as follows: He has picked the most number of wickets(17) in the overs 1-6, with an excellent economy rate of 7.4 and at a strike-rate of just 16.9, in the middle overs(12-16) also he has taken 11 wickets and has bowled 42.9 percent of dot balls.

The greatest strength of Anrich Nortje is bowling in the death overs, he has taken 16 wickets(overs 17-20) at an average of 19.9 with an exceptional economy rate of just 8.14, which is outstanding in T20 cricket. He has the potential to bowl yorkers at will, which makes him a lethal bowler of this format. Additionally, he has an extreme pace, he touches 150 kmph easily.

The weak link of Washington Freedom is their fragile batting line-up, they are heavily dependent on Josh Philippe, Glenn Phillips and their Captain Moises Henriques to score bulk of runs for them. If their top order fails to score, then they will find themselves in a lot of problems. Glenn Phillips and Josh Philippe will be the players to watch out for them, they are fantastic T20 specialists and can play innovative shots with ease.



Conclusion

Overall, the Washington Freedom is heavily dependent on their bowlers to do well, they have few good batters in their batting line-up but definitely that cannot be counted as their strength. The Washington Freedom have got plenty of local players who have been a part of the United States side. The likes of Netravalkar, Sujith Gowda and Akhilesh Bodugum will be eager to step up for their side in MLC 2023. Undoubtedly, they will get the exposure to play alongside some of the finest T20 players which will help them to improve and to level-up their game.