Chasing 267 in the MLC eliminator, Freedom slipped to 10-2 before Gous and Steve Smith launched a stunning counterattack. The pair added 241 runs from just 89 balls, the joint second-highest partnership for any wicket in T20 cricket.
Gous reached his century from 40 deliveries and became the first USA batter to score an MLC hundred. His brutal innings included a 29-run over against Romario Shepherd, while Smith struck an unbeaten 110 as Freedom reached 270-4 with eight balls remaining.
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An absolute masterclass in batting 💯
Classy as ever, Andries Gous takes home a well-deserved Player of the Match award. 🏆
Runs ➡️ 132
Balls ➡️ 51
Sixes ➡️ 12
Fours ➡️10
SR ➡️ 258.82 pic.twitter.com/oK1nScapMK— Cognizant Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) July 16, 2026
Earlier, Proteas wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock struck 51 before Nicholas Pooran blasted the fastest century in MLC history. His brutal innings included a 29-run over against Romario Shepherd, while Smith struck an unbeaten 110 as Freedom reached 270-, reaching three figures from only 31 balls. Kieron Pollard added 64 from 25 deliveries as New York posted 266-9.
The match produced a record 51 sixes and became the first men’s T20 to feature three individual centuries.
Freedom will face the San Francisco Unicorns for a place in the final against the LA Knight Riders.
Photo: WSHFreedom/X
