Shimron Hetmyer etched his name into Major League Cricket (MLC) folklore with a stunning last-ball six against Kieron Pollard, securing a thrilling three-wicket victory for the Seattle Orcas over MI New York. This sensational win, in a match filled with twists and turns, marked the Orcas' first triumph of the 2025 season, breaking a five-game losing streak.
The Orcas entered the game desperate for a change in fortune, having endured a tumultuous start to the season. In a mid-season shakeup, Sikandar Raza took over the captaincy from Heinrich Klaasen, and the team parted ways with head coach Matthew Mott. The task ahead was daunting as MI New York had set a formidable target of 238, propelled by Nicholas Pooran's explosive, unbeaten 108 off 60 balls and Tajinder Dhillon's blistering 95 off just 35 deliveries.
Seattle's chase began shakily, with openers Josh Brown and Shayan Jahangir falling early. However, Kyle Mayers (37 off 20) and captain Sikandar Raza (30 off 9) launched a swift counter-attack. Heinrich Klaasen contributed a quickfire 26 before his dismissal, setting the stage for Hetmyer's heroics.
With the required run rate escalating and wickets falling, Hetmyer shifted gears, unleashing a barrage of boundaries. Despite appearing to struggle with a groin injury sustained earlier in his innings, Hetmyer continued. He blazed his way to an unbeaten 97 off a mere 40 deliveries, smashing 5 fours and 9 towering sixes, ultimately achieving an extraordinary strike rate of 242.50.
The game reached its climax with six runs needed off the final ball, with Kieron Pollard, captaining MI New York, tasked with bowling it. Hetmyer stayed calm under immense pressure. He got inside the line of the delivery and flicked it over fine leg for a six. The Seattle Orcas dugout erupted in celebration as Hetmyer's extraordinary hit secured the highest successful run chase in MLC history.
Hetmyer's magnificent innings not only secured a crucial victory for the Seattle Orcas but also breathed new life into their season. His performance overshadowed Pooran and Dhillon's earlier heroics and demonstrated his ability to perform under pressure. This victory could prove to be a turning point for the Orcas as they look to climb up the MLC standings.
