Predicting WSF’s Playing XI for the 11th Match in MLC 2025

As the 11th match of Major League Cricket 2025 arrives, Washington Freedom has momentum after obliterating the Los Angeles Knight Riders by 113 runs. In the match, WSF batted explosively and bowled menacingly enough to declare themselves bona fide contenders. Next up: a meeting with MI New York—another dastardly collection of stars. Seattle will look to continue at the top of the table, but will need to choose wisely when naming the XI. Using the current form, here is a possible and threatening Edmonton Freedom lineup that will possibly field.

Openers

At the top, Mitchell Owen has almost assured his place after a rapid 32 from 11 balls against LAKR. The right-hand batsman brought the power early by having the crowd oohing and aahing with four boundaries as well as two sixes, with an astronomical strike rate of 290.9. His aggressive intent in the Powerplay released the pressure instantly and set the tone for the inning.

Andries Gous should slot next to him, who has shown productive consistency, even in his last outing against LAKR, where he scored 12 from nine balls, as well as experience, as a top-order keeper-batter. Gous has had a consistent record in MLC and rotates the strike well, but also can bat long and anchor the inning if necessary, providing a good counterbalance to Owen’s destructive batting.

Middle Order

The middle order is solid with Glenn Maxwell and Mark Chapman. Maxwell was in top form as captain and played one of the most destructive T20 innings in memory—106 not out off just 49 balls with 13 sixes. He is effective in being able to put the foot down during the middle overs while even taking apart spin. Chapman did not make a big impact with the bat (17 off 21) on the previous occasion, but he certainly has value as a left-handed player with versatility and presence in the game. Not every innings is going to stand out as, explosive innings, but he provides variety and depth in the batting order.

All-Rounders

The all-around capabilities of Washington Freedom are as dangerous and diverse as they can be. Jack Edwards had a marvelous all-round match — he scored a handy 11 and then smashed through LAKR’s top order with a 3-wicket burst. His medium pace provided great diversity in the bowling lineup. He was paired with Mitchell Owen, who had an explosive batting performance and returned figures of 3/18 from 3 overs. His golden arm broke the back of LAKR’s lower middle order and proved he is not just a power hitter. These two players give WSF envious depth and dimension that is difficult to match.

Bowlers

With Saurabh Netravalkar and Ian Holland in the bowling unit, Washington’s attack has the perfect combination of discipline and menace. Netravalkar bowled a masterclass display of control—3.3 overs, 2 wickets, 6 runs. He removed Alex Hales and Corné Dry, who are both in-form and top players, as he showed accuracy and variety along with common-sense bowling.

Holland, meanwhile, was steady with 3-0-10-1 and also dismissed van Schalkwyk while building pressure through dot balls. Both bowlers complement each other perfectly—Netravalkar has the new ball and Holland, getting more of a go during the middle overs—and they will both be vital to restrict MI NY’s aggressive batting unit.

Glenn Maxwell’s leadership and form are a secret weapon, and there’s another secret weapon in the form of depth, thanks to Owen, Edward, and Netravalkar, which gives the Washington side a competitive advantage. As they gear up for what will probably be one of their toughest challenges, Washington Freedom seems primed and ready to deliver another emphatic performance.