Watch: Andre Russell smoked a 108-metre six off Haris Rauf in the 19th over of the run-chase for Los Angeles Knight Riders during their clash against San Francisco Unicorns yesterday (July 18).
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After San Francisco elected to bat in the California derby, Matthew Wade provided them with a blistering start, while Marcus Stoinis and Corey Anderson played rapid cameos from No.3 and No.5 respectively to take them to 212-7. Adam Zampa picked three wickets, but was expensive as he gave away 41 runs off his four overs.
After a nightmarish performance with the bat in the last game where they were bundled out for just 50, Los Angeles came out all guns blazing in this chase. They had no other choice given the steep target they had in front of them.
Jason Roy slammed 45 off 21 balls as LAKR crossed 50 in the fifth over. Russell came in at No.6 with his team needing exactly 100 off eight overs. They needed to press the accelerator soon, however, after Russell and Sunil Narine took their time to settle.
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The next four overs (13-16) brought just 19 runs and the equation became an unrealistic 81 off four overs. However, with Russell still there, nothing could have been ruled out. And he finally exploded.
The next two overs fetched 31 runs. Rauf came on to bowl the 19th and was met with a gigantic slog over mid-wicket that sailed not only over the ropes but also out of the ground. If one 100-plus-metre six in an over was not enough, Russell followed it up with another on the fifth ball with a 103-metre hit over the bowler’s head.
The assault, however, came a little too late as LAKR finished 21 short of the target. Russell remained not out on 42 off 26 balls.
Watch Russell smoke a 108-metre six off Haris Rauf in MLC 2023:
ONE HUNDRED AND EIGHT METERS!💪
Andre Russell with a SHOT TO THE MOON!🌕 pic.twitter.com/WHYt9HGD1M
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 19, 2023