Matches are coming thick and fast in the 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) and game 17 will feature Texas Super Kings and Washington Freedom at the Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas. The former have played five matches and won a couple of them. With a rain-washed affair against MI New York, they are placed third in the league table. Meanwhile, the Freedom have played five matches and accumulated nine points without a defeat. They’re situated at the top of the table and already made it to the playoffs.
With a mouth-watering clash up for grabs, let us quickly go through the match prediction, head-to-head, pitch report and top players.
Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas Pitch Report
The venue has a reputation for offering balanced pitches that assist both batters and bowlers. Pacers typically get an early swing in the first half of the field restrictions. Teams chasing have won more matches but the last couple of matches here saw the team batting first to defend totals. With the repetitive usage of the strips, the spinners likely get more grip and movement. 
Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas Pitch Stats
Total Matches: 6
Matches won batting first: 2
Matches won bowling first: 4
Average 1st innings total: 151
Average 2nd innings total: 135
Highest total recorded: 197/3 by USA vs CAN
Lowest total recorded: 106 by NEP vs NED
WF vs TSK Head-to-Head
Washington Freedom and Texas Super Kings have squared off twice in MLC history. The Freedom won the first game in 2023, while their recent clash in 2024 was a rain-abandoned case.
WF vs TSK Conditions-based Predictions
- The new ball does swing for the initial powerplay period.
- The spinners are likelier to come into play with wearing out of the pitches.
- There’s still enough for good batters to score runs.
WF vs TSK Top Players Predictions
Faf du Plessis (TSK): The Proteas batter is the second-highest run-getter in the tournament with 209 runs from four matches. Faf averages 52.25 with the bat while striking at the rate of 164.57. The skipper of the side has been ever-consistent with the willow and would like to continue the good nick.
Devon Conway (TSK): The New Zealand batter has made a strong comeback post-injury and looks in his vintage flair. Conway has amassed 164 runs from four innings at an average of 54.67. His strike rate reads 146.43. The southpaw was one of the formidable knights in the Yellow brigade and gave starts that the middle and lower orders had capitalized on.
Saurabh Netravalkar (WF): Although he missed the last game, the left-arm pacer is yet to be surpassed by anyone in the most wickets tally of MLC 2024. Netravalkar has scalped 12 wickets from four matches thus far at an astounding bowling average of 9.17. He also bagged a four-for in his recent game.
WF vs TSK Hit or Miss Prediction
Steve Smith (WF): The Australian star showed an intent to bat inside the powerplay in the ensuing edition aggressively. Smith has scored 134 runs from five innings at an average of 67. He has often stitched crucial knocks that helped the side go past the finishing line.
WF vs TSK Local Players to watch out for
- Joshua Tromp (TSK)
- Saurabh Netravalkar (WF)
- Jasdeep Singh (WF)
WF vs TSK Match Predictions
According to Parimatch, both teams have a solid opening pair and are expected to have an opening partnership of over 23.5 runs (1.85). Steve Smith and Travis Head are in good form while Devon Conway and Faf du Plessis have been carrying the Super Kings throughout the league. With a heavy top-order batting, the total number of wickets is expected to go below 12.5 (1.79).
WF vs TSK Winner Predictions
Both teams can topple the opposition on their day. While TSK depends more on their top order and all-rounders, WF is a better-poised team. They look threatening on a given day and are the favorites to emerge on the top.
