The 2023 Washington Freedom season was the inaugural season of the Washington Freedom franchise in Major League Cricket (MLC). The team was one of six franchises that competed in the inaugural MLC season. The team was captained by Moises Henriques and coached by Greg Shipperd.
Steve Smith joined Washington Freedom as the team's brand ambassador.
Washington Freedom began their inaugural MLC campaign with a five-wicket defeat to the Seattle Orcas. The team subsequently recorded victories over the Texas Super Kings, Los Angeles Knight Riders and San Francisco Unicorns, finishing the league stage with a 3–3 record.
The Freedom qualified for the playoffs, where they faced MI New York in the Eliminator on July 27. Washington Freedom scored 126 runs in their allotted overs in pursuit of New York's 141/7 and lost by 16 runs, ending their inaugural season.
Background The Freedom's 2023 squad included international players such as Anrich Nortje, Marco Jansen, Glenn Phillips, Adam Milne, Josh Philippe, Ben Dwarshuis, Akeal Hosein and Matthew Short, alongside United States and domestic players including Saurabh Netravalkar, Andries Gous, Mukhtar Ahmed and Obus Pienaar.
Tanveer Sangha has signed as a replacement for Wanindu Hasaranga.
Squad
Players with international caps are listed in bold. +Washington Freedom 2023 rosterNameDate of BirthBatting StyleBowling StyleYear signedNotesBattersMatthew Short Right-handed Right-arm off break 2023 Injury replacementMukhtar Ahmed Right-handed Right-arm leg break googly 2023 Draft selectionSaad Ali Left-handed Right-arm medium 2023 Draft selectionSujith Gowda Right-handed Right-arm off break 2023 Draft selectionAll-roundersMoises Henriques Right-handed Right-arm medium 2023 Direct signing; captainObus Pienaar Right-handed Left-arm off spin 2023 Draft selectionMarco Jansen Left-handed Left-arm fast-medium 2023 Direct signingGlenn Phillips Right-handed Right-arm off break 2023 Direct signingAkeal Hosein Left-handed Slow left-arm orthodox 2023 Direct signingJustin Dill Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast 2023 Draft selectionWicket-keepersAndries Gous Right-handed 2023 Draft selectionJosh Philippe Right-handed 2023 Direct signingBowlersSaurabh Netravalkar Right-handed Left-arm medium-fast 2023 Draft selectionAnrich Nortje Right-handed Right-arm fast 2023 Direct signingAdam Milne Right-handed Right-arm fast 2023 Direct signingBen Dwarshuis Left-handed Left-arm fast-medium 2023 Direct signingDane Piedt Right-handed Right-arm off break 2023 Draft selectionTanveer Sangha Right-handed Right-arm leg break 2023 Replacement for Wanindu HasarangaAkhilesh Bodugum Right-handed Right-arm off break 2023 U23 playerUsman Rafiq Right-handed Right-arm off break 2023Wanindu Hasaranga Right-handed Right-arm leg break 2023 Withdrew
League stage
Standing Points table
Match summary +TeamGroup matchesPlayoffs1 2 3 45 Q/ECFWashington Freedom02466L Win Loss Tie No Result Playoffs
Administration and support staff +Washington Freedom staffPositionNameHead coach Greg ShipperdBowling coach Dale Steyn
References