MLC 2024 stats recap: Faf du Plessis steals spotlight with the bat in second edition
Faf du Plessis scored a whopping 420 runs in 10 games for the Texas Super Kings in 2024 in the MLC (Image via X/@TexasSuperKings)
With the inaugural season in 2023 establishing the potential of Major League Cricket as the flagship T20 competition in America, competition between the six competing teams increased manifold in the second season of the competition.
Played across two venues - Church Street Park in North Carolina and Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Texas, the 25-game tournament saw a fierce battle for the trophy.
While the San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom, Texas Super Kings and MI New York made the playoffs, the season finale saw Washington Freedom demolish San Francisco Unicorns in the final by a whopping 96 runs to become first-time champions.
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Top Run-Scorers
While Nicholas Pooran finished top of the list of highest run-getters in 2023, the West Indian was dethroned by South Africa's
Faf du Plessis
in 2024.
In a top five list dominated by Australians and New Zealanders, Du Plessis's scintillating 420 runs from 8 matches marked bested the likes of Steve Smith and Travis Head. Donning the jersey of the Texas Super Kings, Du Plessis eclipsed the inaugural top scorer record by 32 runs. Despite his side not making the final, his 3 fifties and one century was undisputedly the best in the tournament.
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Other top run-getters
Steve Smith (Washington Freedom) : 336 runs
Travis Head (Washington Freedom) : 336 runs
Finn Allen (San Francisco Unicorns) : 306 runs
Devon Conway (Texas Super Kings) : 293 runs
Highest Individual Scores
Ryan Rickelton - 103 not out
Finn Allen - 101
Faf du Plessis - 100
Ryan Rickelton - 89
Steve Smith - 88
Strike Rate leaders (At least 20 balls faced)
Finn Allen - 187.73
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Matthew Short - 180.85
Rashid Khan - 178.02
Travis Head - 173.20
Faf du Plessis - 171.43
While Finn Allen also finished fourth in the list of top scorers in 2024, the Kiwi's two explosive fifties and another century make him one of the most threatening batter of the previous season.
Poll
Do you believe Major League Cricket can grow to rival other international T20 leagues?
Yes, definitely
No, it lacks appeal
Maybe, with more exposure
Big Hitters - Most Sixes
Faf du Plessis - 23 sixes
Steve Smith - 21 sixes
Finn Allen - 20 sixes
Travis Head - 18 sixes
Matthew Short - 14 sixes
While Du Plessis led the list for most runs, the South African also became a nightmare for bowlers through his consistency in hitting over the fence. His 23 sixes stand tall, but nowhere close to Pooran's humongous 34 maximums in the inaugural season.
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