After a prolonged lean patch -- marked by his retirement from ODI cricket and a poor run in the recently concluded Indian Premier League -- Glenn Maxwell has roared back to form. The Australian all-rounder smashed a 49-ball century for Washington Freedom against Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Major League Cricket clash 2025 on Wednesday night, powering his team to a commanding 113-run victory.
Opting to bat first, the Washington Freedom were left regretting their decision as they slumped to 68/4 early in the innings in 8th over. Opener Mitchell Owen scored 32 before falling, while Rachin Ravindra managed just 8. Andries Gous chipped in with 12, and Mark Chapman followed with 17, leaving the team reeling at 92/5 in 11.2 overs. That바카라™s when skipper Glenn Maxwell decided it was time to step in and take charge of the rescue mission.
Maxwell took his time settling in, managing just 11 runs off his first 15 balls. But what followed was pure magic. He exploded for 95 runs off the next 34 deliveries, smashing 13 towering sixes and 2 fours on his way to a breathtaking 106-run century.
Washington posted 208/5 on the board--a formidable target for the Los Angeles Knight Riders. And the carnage didn바카라™t stop there. The magic rolled into the second innings as LAKR crumbled early, losing their top three--Alex Hales, Sunil Narine, and Unmukt Chand--for ducks, reduced to 0/3 in a shocking start off Saurabh Netravalkar, Mark Adair, and Jack Edwards' deliveries, respectively.
Saif Badar (34 off 31) and captain Jason Holder (23 off 16) tried to steady the ship, but the collapse was inevitable. LAKR were bundled out for just 95, handing Washington a massive 113-run victory. Jack Edwards and Mitchell Owen wreaked havoc, picking up three wickets apiece in a ruthless bowling showdown.
This marked Washington Freedom바카라™s third match under Glenn Maxwell바카라™s leadership--and their second win. It바카라™s been quite the turnaround. In the opening game, Maxwell managed just 5 runs, and Washington were thrashed by 123 runs by the San Francisco Unicorns. But then came an unbeaten 39 from the skipper in the second outing--and now, this monstrous innings of 106.
His recently concluded IPL campaign playing for the runners-up Punjab Kings was underwhelming--just 46 runs from 6 innings at an average of 8. But creating magic from pressure situations is nothing new for Glenn Maxwell.
Who could forget his legendary knock against Afghanistan in the 2023 ICC Cricket World Cup? Battling cramps and barely able to run, Maxwell defied the odds with a jaw-dropping 201 at the Wankhede Stadium. It powered Australia to a stunning comeback win and sealed their place in the semi-finals, and it was perhaps the best knock in the entire history of ODI format.
While fans would바카라™ve hoped to see more of his fireworks in the 50-over format, the ODI magic from Maxwell has sadly come to an end.
Australia all-rounder announced his retirement from One Day Internationals on Monday, June 2.
Washington Freedom will next face MI New York on June 22. Meanwhiel, the LA Knight Riders will face Seattle Orcas on June 23.
