Texas vs New York, Qualifier 2 at Dallas, MLC, Jul 28 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

11:34pm Right. That will be that from us for tonight. Do join us after a day's break as the Seattle Orcas clash with MI New York in the final of the inaugural edition of the MLC. Until next time, this is me (Shashwat) signing off on behalf of Binoy George and everyone else at ESPNcricinfo. Goodbye and take care!

Nicholas Pooran, MI New York captain: (Message before today's game) The message was all about replicating what we did yesterday. The team spirit is there, we are working together as a team. Everyone has contributed. (On not using Kenjige) It was definitely match-ups. We were controlling the game nicely. He was not needed tonight but hopefully he can come good in the final. (On Brevis) Two good scores under his belt now. He is maturing really nicely and we are happy with the way he is batting.

Faf du Plessis, Texas Super Kings captain: (On the batting performance) Throughout the tournament, our batting was a little below-par and it starts with myself. We did not get good starts and we scratched our way to most of the totals. That is where we let ourselves down. Today we held our composure and got a decent total. Fought really hard with the ball but they have a really strong line-up. It only takes a few balls for David to do something like that (and take the game away). (On his form) Sometimes, you start off the tournament well and then go on with that form. The flip side is you start off badly and then the pressure starts to build. The competition trend has shown that the last ten overs can do a lot of damage, so it is about holding it as long as possible and then targeting someone at the death. (On the support) Want to thank all the fans that have come out. We have seen a lot of yellow shirts and thank you to everyone.

Trent Boult, Player of the Match: (On first thoughts on the surface) Yesterday's wicket was a good challenge, incredible to defend an under-par total. Tonight, we had to come here and bowl well and then chasing it down was quite satisfying too. (On the confidence gained from yesterday) There is a lot of experience in our squad. Clear direction on how we wanted to go today. Some lusty shots at the end too - very satisfying in the end. We are all looking forward to Sunday. (On how the body is feeling) It is good. When it is the final, every little niggle goes out of the window (smiles).

Tim David: (On bowling the last over) I was not expecting it. But I knew we had to make up the overs after the injury. (On making the final) Success would be winning a trophy. Have come close a couple of times in the IPL. Different tournament, obviously, but same franchise. Everyone is so excited right now because we have done it as a team. (On the run-chase) Got away from us a little bit. It then came down to taking a bit of a chance and it came off today. We were trying to score but we just could not get it. Glad that when we took our chances and backed ourselves, it paid off.

11:15pm Well, MI New York did that fairly comfortably at the end. The run-chase was not without hiccups, though. After Jahangir breezed away to 36 off 18, MINY hit a bit of a snag with Pooran not getting going. Brevis also looked scratchy at the start, as did David. In fact, it was not until the 15th over of the run-chase, when MINY ransacked 16 runs, that they truly established control. They then followed it up with a 19-run over and that broke the back of the run-chase. Brevis, having lacked rhythm at the start, fittingly hit the winning runs, with David playing an equally important cameo.

As for TSK, they just did not have enough runs on the board. It always felt that MINY would storm back into the game with one big over. As it turned out, they got two such overs in succession, deflating TSK's hopes completely. Their spinners were also rather ineffective when it mattered, with Mohsin and Santner being the ones to be carted for 35 runs in the 15th and 16th over.

Here is Sams

Run-a-ball needed now

Here is Savage for now

TSK have got to bring Sams back into the attack. That could be their final roll of the dice. Of course, it does not guarantee them a victory but it gives them the best possible chance to get back into the game

23 off 19. TSK need a wicket, right about now...

34 needed off 24 as Coetzee returns

The momentum has definitely swung back into MINY's favour after the last two overs. TSK, though, have kept themselves afloat with the dismissal of David. They now need a couple of quiet overs, and possibly, a couple of wickets to build some real pressure on the chasing side