MLC 2026: Steve Smith’s first fifty of the season propels the Washington Freedom to the top of the table

Steve Smith’s first fifty of the season (MLC photo) A half-century from Steve Smith and a vital partnership with Mark Chapman helped the Washington Freedom overcome an early wobble to beat the San Francisco Unicorns by five wickets and climb to the top of the Major League Cricket table with their second straight win.After electing to bowl first at the Knight Riders Cricket Field in Pomona, Washington produced a disciplined performance with the ball to restrict San Francisco to 126 all out in 19.3 overs on a surface that offered movement and uneven bounce for the seamers.San Francisco endured a difficult start as Ben Dwarshuis struck twice to remove Lhuan-dre Pretorius and captain Matthew Short, while Jack Edwards produced an impressive spell to claim four wickets. Edwards dismissed Finn Allen, Aaron Hardie, Sanjay Krishnamurthi and Haris Rauf to finish with figures of 4 for 13 from 3.3 overs.Short tried to anchor the innings with a patient 39 off 34 balls, but regular wickets prevented San Francisco from building any momentum. Hassan Khan provided late resistance with 27 off 28 deliveries but the innings ended on 126 after Ian Holland took two wickets in the closing stages.Washington’s chase got off to a shaky start when Xavier Bartlett removed Mitchell Owen in the opener before Haris Rauf dismissed the promoted Jack Edwards. When Brody Couch bowled Andries Gouse in the fourth over, Washington slumped to 19 for 3 and were under pressure.However, captain Steve Smith and Mark Chapman leveled the innings with a match-defining partnership of 72 runs for the fourth wicket. Chapman played a more aggressive role, hitting 44 off 33 balls with three fours and two sixes before suffering a half-century.Smith then took control of the chase and brought up his first fifty of the season with a measured innings of 56 off 49 deliveries. Although he fell with just four runs needed, Nikhil Chaudhary and Obus Pienaar finished the job with 11 balls to spare to seal a valuable win for Washington.