The National Cricket League Sixty Strikes tournament witnessed a thrilling display of batting prowess in Qualifier 2 on Sunday, as Atlanta Kings emerged victorious over Los Angeles Waves. The match was a battle for a spot in the final, and Los Angeles fell short, posting a modest total of 96/3 while batting first.
Despite promising starts from their openers, LA batters failed to propel the team past the 100-run mark. Stevie Eskinazi struggled to find his rhythm, scoring 23 runs off 21 balls, while Rishi Ramesh was dismissed for a mere 1 run off 5 balls. Raymon Reifer’s 16 runs off 8 balls failed to ignite a substantial partnership.
However, Joe Burns’ 21-ball 38 and Waqas Saleem’s 5-ball 5 helped LA salvage some respectability, finishing their innings on 96/3 in 10 overs. Imran Tahir, Danish Aziz, and Ben Russell each claimed a wicket for Atlanta Kings.
Chasing the target, Atlanta Kings faced a series of setbacks, losing wickets at regular intervals. None of their batters managed to cross the 20-run mark individually, leaving the team in a precarious position. However, Tom Bruce emerged as the game-changer, smashing four consecutive sixes to turn the tide in Atlanta’s favor.
Bruce’s 4-ball 24 propelled Atlanta to a crucial victory, securing their place in the final of the National Cricket League Sixty Strikes. They will now face Chicago in the championship match, who advanced to the final after winning Qualifier 1.
