Aaron Hardie delivers a back of a length ball on off stump, met with a well-timed flick from Nikhil Chaudhary. The ball races away finely controlled through fine leg for four.
Over 18. 14 runs. Bowler: Brody Couch. Washington Freedom: 5-125(rr 6.94) A length ball on middle stump with no movement, and Pienaar confidently drives it along the ground for a quick two runs. Obus Pienaar gets off the mark as Washington Freedom need 2 from 12 balls with five wickets in hand. The chase is steady but still on a knife-edge.
On a full-length delivery outside off, Smith goes for a drive but mistimes it badly. The ball goes airborne and is caught at long off, ending his innings. Steve Smith departs for 56 runs off 49 balls.
A half-tracker outside off, Smith goes for a commanding hook and connects well. The shot sails uncontrolled to deep square leg for four. That makes it two boundaries already for Smith this over.
A length ball outside off, met with a beautifully controlled drive. Steve Smith has timed that perfectly, sending it clean over long off for a six. Steve Smith reaches his fifty off 46 balls at a strike rate of 111.
Over 17. 5 runs. Bowler: Aaron Hardie. Washington Freedom: 4-111(rr 6.53) On a back of a length delivery right on off stump, Smith pulls it low and controlled through the on side for a quick single. Washington Freedom require 16 runs from 18 balls with six wickets in hand in this chase.
Over 16. 6 runs. Bowler: Haris Rauf. Washington Freedom: 4-106(rr 6.62) Steve Smith works the length ball outside off stump carefully, picking up a single with a controlled, grounded shot. Washington Freedom require 21 runs from 24 balls with six wickets in hand as the chase intensifies.
Over 15. 8 runs. Bowler: Xavier Bartlett. Washington Freedom: 4-100(rr 6.67) Nikhil Chaudhary works the ball neatly along the ground towards backward square leg, taking a comfortable two runs. Washington Freedom move to 100 for 4, needing 27 runs off 30 balls with six wickets in hand.
