Ball by Ball Commentary & Live Score - MI NY vs SEO, 9th Match

9:40pm That will be a wrap from us for tonight. The MLC pauses for a day as it shifts to a new venue, but we have lots of other cricket lined up in the meantime - all of which can be found on ESPNcricinfo, including the Test between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, where Bangladesh have put up a hefty total on the board. Until next time, from Venkat Raghav and myself (Shashwat), this is goodbye!

Monank Patel, Player of the Match: Really happy with the way we played, we fought till the end. These two points are really crucial to start our journey. We have been watching games in the past 2-3 days. In the second innings, when you try to hit too many shots, it is tough. Wanted to spend time, get set and then play some shots. When there was some extra pace, just wanted to use my pace (and pick boundary options). We have been talking with our coach and batting coach. Everyone has a different template. I have a particular template, wanted to believe in it and glad that I am getting success. This is a special ground. Playing an international game here will be wonderful.

Nicholas Pooran, MI New York captain: Very relieved. Just really happy we could get two points tonight. We keep facing the same challenges, where we are bowling well in certain areas. The most impressive fact was how Bracewell soaked in the pressure, Monank as well. we did not let the target affect our mindset. The runs that were being scored in the last ten overs of the game…we kept ourselves in the game. (On the domestic talent in MLC) Have been a part of the league, and Monank has been a part of the team (for three seasons). To see how he has been going from strength to strength is pleasing. The way he is going about it, taking responsibility, assessing conditions, taking his changes, being calculative, he put us in a really good position to win this game, and we would not have won without it. A lot of guys (in other teams in the MLC) are putting their hands up, and hopefully they can continue to perform.

Heinrich Klaasen, Seattle Orcas captain: (On the score) Very pleased with that, felt we batted superbly well. That is what the team needs, some experience at the back end. We wanted to have our big guys at the back end (on a tricky wicket) and it paid off (tonight). I reckon…it was one of those nights where the ball did not go to hand. We bowled well. I thought 200 was a good score. Difficult to put (a finger on it), thought we played a good game. Will take this loss (over those earlier), we are playing better cricket. (On if they missed Salamkheil in the side tonight) Probably (missed) a seamer, to be honest. A seamer could have been a great option. Easy now in hindsight (smiles).

9:25pm For a while, it looked like the run-chase was spiraling out of control for MINY. But such is this game, and such is the hitting power on display in this format these days, that MINY, in the end, did it at a bit of a canter, with an over to spare. Monank epitomized that turnaround, having scratched around during the powerplay. But with the run-rate shooting rising, he found his range, making merry en route an excellent 50-ball 93. It was a similar story for Bracewell too, who was going at under run-a-ball for a major chunk of his innings. Once the death-overs dawned, though, he turned into a different beast (as his nickname goes), and alongside Pollard, ensured that MINY cruised to the finish line.

Seattle, meanwhile, will not be entirely pleased with their bowling and fielding effort, in particular. Several chances went down and there were a few misfields too - all of which cost them. Wicket-taking has been an issue throughout this season and that stuck out, especially as MINY, with all their firepower, came hard at them.

18.6

McCoy to Pollard, SIX runs

start the car, we are outta here! Pollard finishes it off with a maximum, and even though that did not quite go where Pollard was intending it to, it is a fitting end to what became a bruising run-chase! Banged in short outside off and Pollard swings his blade like an axe. Gets it right off the top edge but when Pollard swings that hard, chances are the ball will end up in the stands. Over the keeper's head, which may not make the highlights reel in isolation, but a blow that gives MINY their first win this season and consigns the Orcas to yet another defeat!

See all photos

18.6

McCoy to Pollard, 1 wide

wide yorker fired a mile outside off. Pollard lets it go and the umpire has no option but to stretch out his arms

18.5

McCoy to Michael Bracewell, 1 run

fifty up for Michael Bracewell! Slower ball on a length just outside off. Bracewell uses his wrists and whips it towards deep backward square leg. A gritty knock, given how much he was struggling earlier, but he kept at it!

Runs needed into single-digits now

18.4

McCoy to Michael Bracewell, SIX runs

fetch that too, says Bracewell! Off-pace and sitting up invitingly outside off. Bracewell says thank you very much and clubs it over deep mid wicket!

18.3

McCoy to Pollard, 1 run

slower ball on a back of a length on off. Pollard waits for it before tugging it towards deep backward square leg

13 off 10. Surely MINY will not botch this chase from here?

18.2

McCoy to Pollard, FOUR runs

the wily old fox outwits McCoy now! Off-cutter on a length on leg stump. Pollard knows there is no fine leg in place and shuffles across to glance it into the vast open spaces!

18.1

McCoy to Pollard, FOUR runs

oh my word - the ball is following Harmeet now! Back of a length, angling across the batter outside off. Pollard looks to go downtown and gets it almost 180 degrees in the opposite direction. Harmeet, running back from short third, runs around in circles and then makes a complete hash of it!

McCoy to bowl the 19th. 21 off 12

end of over 1819 runs

MI NY: 180/3CRR: 10.00 • RRR: 10.50 • Need 21 runs from 12b

Michael Bracewell43 (33b 3x4 2x6)

Kieron Pollard11 (6b 2x4)

Kyle Mayers 4-0-41-1

Sikandar Raza 4-0-37-2

17.6

Mayers to Michael Bracewell, FOUR runs

oh dear - straight through the legs, and MINY finish the over with a boundary! Nails the wide yorker but Mayers, to his disbelief, then sees Harmeet not nail the fielding. Bracewell dabbed it straight to him, and all he could produce was a rendition of the Sydney Harbour Bridge!

Around the wicket now, having abandoned his run-up mid-way moments ago

17.5

Mayers to Pollard, 1 run

slower yorker outside off. Pollard comes forward and bunts it towards extra cover for a quickish single

17.4

Mayers to Michael Bracewell, 1 run

slower ball on a fullish length on middle and leg. Bracewell clears his front leg and heaves it towards deep square leg

17.3

Mayers to Michael Bracewell, SIX runs

back to back sixes, and Bracewell is suddenly on the charge now! This is a half-tracker outside off and begging to be hit. Bracewell obliges and thumps it flat over deep mid wicket!

17.2

Mayers to Michael Bracewell, SIX runs

Bracewell wakes up from his slumber, and pops it over the fence! Slower ball that lands right in the slot just outside off. Bracewell reads the variation and slugs it over wide long on!

17.1

Mayers to Pollard, 1 run

back of a length just outside off. Pollard walks across his stumps before easing it towards deep mid wicket

Mayers, who bowled a superb 16th over, to bowl the 18th too. 40 off 18. Gannon and McCoy likely to bowl the remaining overs

end of over 1715 runs • 1 wicket

MI NY: 161/3CRR: 9.47 • RRR: 13.33 • Need 40 runs from 18b

Kieron Pollard9 (4b 2x4)

Michael Bracewell26 (29b 2x4)

Sikandar Raza 4-0-37-2

Kyle Mayers 3-0-22-1

16.6

Raza to Pollard, 1 run

back of a length just outside off. Pollard stabs it towards square leg and has to then put the skates on to hurtle across to the other end

16.5

Raza to Pollard, FOUR runs

two fours in three balls for Kieron Pollard! Shortish on middle and leg. This is a seam-up ball and this sits up for Pollard to hoick it over square leg!

16.4

•

Raza to Pollard, no run

back of a length outside off. Pollard hangs back and dabs it towards backward point

45 off 21. Pollard will fancy his chances against spin. There is a fielder on the fence right behind the umpire now

16.3

Raza to Pollard, FOUR runs

Pollard is up and running straightaway! Fired in full on the stumps, and Pollard smashes it straight back at Raza with interest. Absolutely blasted back and Raza, despite getting fingertips to it, cannot stop the boundary!

One West Indian replaced by another. Here's Pollard

16.2

Raza to Pooran, OUT

knocks Pooran over, and looks at Sikandar Raza go! Very round-arm delivery, pitching on a length outside off and coming in with the angle. Pooran has an agricultural hoick at it and loses track of the ball completely (along with his shape). Hears the death rattle soon after and sees Raza going absolutely bonkers just yards away from him. A huge, huge wicket at this stage!

Nicholas Pooran b Sikandar Raza 7 (6b 0x4 1x6) SR: 116.66

16.1

Raza to Pooran, SIX runs

Pooran lands his first punch! Slanted in on a length on middle and off. Pooran gets down on one knee early and mows it over cow corner!

Raza to bowl out. 55 off 24. Around the wicket

end of over 162 runs • 1 wicket