Seattle vs SF, 4th Match at Dallas, MLC, Jul 15 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

11:19pm Right. That will be that from us for this game. Hope you enjoyed our coverage. Tomorrow, we shall be back and we have a double-header in store, with the Texas Super Kings clashing with Washington Freedom in the first game before MI New York take on the Los Angeles Knight Riders. Do join us for both of those games. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Binoy George and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Goodbye and take care!

Wayne Parnell, Seattle Orcas captain: (Most impressive aspect) The fact that we won (smiles). We were a little unsure (about what to do at the toss). We broke the curse yesterday by chasing and winning. It was the fourth game on this wicket and it went a little up and down. Credit goes to the character of this group. It is about keeping things simple and sticking to what has gotten you here. Sometimes, coming to the franchise setup, you want to impress (everyone). For us, it is about gelling and keeping things simple and not complicating them.

Aaron Finch, San Francisco Unicorns captain: (Where it went wrong) Whenever we got some momentum, we lost a wicket. our bowlers did a fantastic job to restrict them to 177. We did a good job at the back end. We just could not get those big partnerships to continue. (On playing two games in two days) It is the same for both teams. We just need to pick ourselves up and play. We were beaten by the better side on the day.

Heinrich Klaasen, Player of the Match: Need to get a good game under the belt early in the tournament. My (plan) is to get one hit away and then get going. Try to be very aggressive against the spinners too. If the ball does not turn a lot, and it is in your half, try to hit away. Some spinners you fancy a little more, and I try to pick my spinners (to hit). (On how he has maintained his form) Just start over again. I have fallen into the trap of taking the game for granted. So just waking up every day and starting on zero. This game humbles you very quickly and hopefully this form continues.

Cameron Gannon: Feels great. Just nice to get off to a great start this tournament. We had a great crowd again today. The enthusiasm has been outrageous. Another great performance by the boys. (On the opposition) It is always a challenge when you are playing against a line-up like that. They (Finch, Wade, Stoinis and the likes) are such good professionals and batters. We tried to be smart today and use the conditions and glad it worked out. (Key to success so far) We have had a really good balance with our team. I have not been a part of too many teams that have gotten along like this one. It has been fun so far, which is key. (On his bowling plans) It is invariably whacking it into the wicket as hard as you can and changing up your pace later. (Intensity of playing in Dallas) It has been good. It is hard cricket and fun. Having six overseas in each team lifts the standards so much. I have met a few of my heroes in these last few weeks and it has been so much fun.

11pm Well, the Orcas made that look very easy at the end. That, though, was not the case during the powerplay. Allen and Wade began like a runaway train, with the former, in particular, severe on Parnell. A lackadaisical moment, however, cost Allen and the Unicorns could not recover thereafter. Finch and Stoinis tried to resurrect the innings but never found their rhythm. Anderson, in pursuit of quick runs, also perished, meaning that the burden of the run-chase fell solely on Shadab. He kept them afloat for a bit but in the end, ran out of partners.

While the Unicorns will not be happy with how their run-chase panned out, the Orcas' bowlers must also be given credit for chipping away constantly. They started pulling things back when Harmeet was introduced. He gave away only 15 runs and picked up the wicket of Finch. Gannon and Tye then obliterated the middle and lower order to hand the Orcas their second victory in as many days.

Gannon has three wickets and he has le Roux in his sights now. Can he finish with a four-wicket haul?

Rauf is the new batter in. He can hit the ball a fair distance, provided he connects

38 off 18. Gannon to bowl out

Plunkett joins Shadab. Rather than look for boundaries at this moment, the new batters could be better served feeding Shadab the strike

Tye to bowl his third

Shadab is keeping the Unicorns afloat but he needs some support from the other end. 49 off 24 with just four wickets in hand will be tough, although it is not entirely unachievable either

56 off 28 now. Required run-rate exactly at 12 runs per over

Bishnoi is the new batter at the crease

Around the wicket to Shadab

Parnell brings himself back. He has not had a great day with the ball so far...

The Unicorns have lost their way since the time-out and they now have their backs firmly against the wall. Shadab is still around, though, and the Unicorns would hope he can conjure something special