Match 29 | Major League Cricket 2026 | Grand Prairie Stadium, Dallas | 13 July 2026

Nicholas Pooran, Quinton de Kock, Kieron Pollard and Trent Boult lead MI New York’s charge, while Mitchell Owen, Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell and Marco Jansen carry Washington Freedom’s hopes into Match 29. Both franchises sit on eight points, separated only by net run rate, and both dressing rooms remember exactly how last year’s final ended at Grand Prairie Stadium. Owen’s record 155 in June still hangs over this fixture, and Pooran’s side wants a different result from the July 13, 2025 classic decided by five runs. 

A Familiar Rivalry Renews Itself 

MI New York and Washington Freedom both sit on eight points after ten rounds, tied for top spot and separated only by net run rate. MI New York reclaimed first place with a July 4 win over LA Knight Riders before San Francisco Unicorns leapfrogged them on the back of Lhuan-dre Pretorius’s unbeaten 102. Washington Freedom have been streakier, alternating wins and losses through six matches, but their raw talent has never been in question. Ricky Ponting’s side beat MI New York by 30 runs back in Match 5, and that result still colors how both camps see this weekend. 

MI New York vs Washington Freedom MLC 2026 

The headline number for this rematch is Mitchell Owen’s 344 runs in seven innings, comfortably the best return in the competition and built on the back of his record 155 against MI New York in June. Nicholas Pooran captains a side stacked with proven finishers, though his own bat has cooled lately, while Steve Smith leads a Washington unit that has found different match-winners every week. Kieron Pollard remains the form all-rounder on either roster, and Trent Boult’s new-ball threat gives MI New York a genuine edge with bat and ball both on show. 

Boult and Ugarkar’s Bowling Blueprint 

MI New York’s attack still leans on how Trent Boult started last year’s final, removing Mitchell Owen and Andries Gous for nought inside the first over and finishing with 2 for 32. He has cooled off since then, going for 0 for 28 in his last outing, and Grand Prairie’s true bounce should suit his skiddy lengths again. Rushil Ugarkar, just 22 and already a Player of the Match winner in a final, defended 12 runs in the last over that day and picked up 3 for 43 against LA Knight Riders more recently. Between them, Boult and Ugarkar give Pooran control at both ends of the innings. 

Jansen and Ferguson Anchor the Attack 

Marco Jansen has quietly become Washington’s most reliable bowler this season, taking 6 wickets in 5 matches to lead the squad, while also chipping in useful runs down the order. Lockie Ferguson’s 3 for 21 remains the best bowling figures posted in an MLC final, and his pace at the death is exactly what Washington will need if MI New York’s middle order gets going again. Glenn Maxwell has had a quiet start with bat and ball, just 7 runs and 2 wickets from three games, but his 2 for 37 against MI New York in Match 5 shows he can still turn a match on its head. Rachin Ravindra, last year’s top scorer in the final with 70 off 41, adds further depth batting deep into the order. 

Everything about the MI New York vs Washington Freedom MLC 2026 clash points to a tight finish, given how close the two sides have been all season and how painfully the 2025 final ended for Washington. Whoever handles the pressure of Grand Prairie’s chase better should walk away with the bigger prize.                                                                                                                 

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FAQs 

Who holds the highest individual score in MLC history?

Mitchell Owen holds the record with his unbeaten 155. He made it off just 68 balls against MI New York in Match 5, hitting 11 fours and 13 sixes. 

Who won last year’s MLC final between these two sides?

MI New York won the 2025 final by five runs. Quinton de Kock’s 77 anchored a total of 180 for 7 that Washington Freedom fell just short of chasing. 

Who captains MI New York and Washington Freedom this season?

Nicholas Pooran leads MI New York while Steve Smith captains Washington Freedom. Smith previously guided Washington to the 2024 title with a 96-run final win, the biggest margin in league history. 

Who is the top run-scorer in this year’s league stage?

Mitchell Owen leads the competition with 344 runs. He reached that tally in just seven innings for Washington Freedom, including his record 155 against MI New York. 

When and where is Match 29 being played?

Match 29 takes place on July 13 at Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas. The venue has favored chasing sides in 29 of its 52 MLC matches, thanks partly to second-innings dew.