High-class Overseas Recruits But Lack Of Quality US Players - Analysis Of Washington Freedom

Washington Freedom will be looking to make it to the finals and win the trophy in MLC 2024 [X]

The second season of the Major League Cricket (MLC 2024) is just about 24 hours away. The tournament will catch the eyes of avid cricket followers after the brilliant show of the US in the T20 World Cup 2024. 

We at OneCricket have already taken a deep dive into the squad of four teams that will participate in this tournament. In this article, we will take a look at Washington Freedom. 

Washington Freedom finished third in the points table last year. However, they were defeated in the Eliminator by MI-New York, the eventual champions, and had to bow out of the tournament. With some new recruits onboard and as a much stronger-looking outfit, WAF will look to better their performance and eventually lift their maiden MLC title.

Here is a look at the Washington Freedom squad for the MLC 2024.

Batters: Steven Smith, Akhilesh Reddy, Jack Edwards, Andries Gous, Travis Head, Lahiru Milantha, Mukhtar Ahmed

All-rounders: Justin Dill, Ian Holland, Marco Jansen, Glenn Maxwell, Obus Pienaar, Rachin Ravindra

Bowlers: Amila Aponso, Lockie Ferguson, Akeal Hosein, Saurabh Netravalkar, Andrew Tye, Yasir Mohammad

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Strength of Washington Freedom for MLC 2024

Variety and depth in the overseas recruits

The Washington Freedom have recruited some high-quality overseas players ahead of the MLC 2024 season. These recruits will give them strength ahead of the season alongwith variety and flexibility to field teams based on the strength of the opposition and the playing conditions.

While Steven Smith, Travis Head and Rachin Ravindra will add stability to the top order, Glenn Maxwell, alongside Andries Gous, will give them the firepower in the middle order.

In the bowling department, they will have Akeal Hosein in the spin department, with Lockie Ferguson, Andre Tye and Marco Jansen rounding up in the pace front. An overall look gives us the idea that they have plenty of resources to use as per the playing conditions, and they go with a 'horses for courses' policy.

Weaknesses of Washington Freedom for MLC 2024

Lack of experience in the spin department

Akeal Hosein will be in charge of the team's spin department. Besides leading this aspect of the team, he will have the majority of the task of controlling the opposition in the middle overs and picking up wickets. There is a lack of experienced spinners in the squad, and the skipper will have to turn to Glenn Maxwell and even Rachin Ravindra to get some efficient overs in the middle overs.

Over-dependency on Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell for power hitting

Most of the batters in the Washington Freedom look like grafters. They will take time to settle down before shifting gears. Thus the Freedom will have an over-dependency on Travis Head at the top and Glenn Maxwell in the middle order to increase the team's scoring rate. 

Washington Freedom Predicted XI for the first match

Steven Smith (c) ✈️, Travis Head ✈️, Andries Gous (wk), Akhilesh Reddy, Glenn Maxwell ✈️, Justin Dill, Marco Jansen ✈️, Akeal Hosein ✈️, Saurabh Netravalkar, Lockie Ferguson ✈️, Yasir Mohammad

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