Big-hitting Klaasen stars in Orcas' MLC win over Unicorns

Proteas batsman Heinrich Klaasen starred for the Seattle Orcas on Saturday evening as he hit a quick-fire 53 in their win over the San Francisco Unicorns in a Major League Cricket (MLC) clash.

The league, the latest in the global T20 calendar, features six teams and takes place in Dallas, Texas, and Morrisville, North Carolina.

The teams, who will collectively play 19 matches, are MI New York, Los Angeles Knight Riders, the Orcas, Texas Super Kings, Washington Freedom and the Unicorns.

Klaasen's innings of 53 off just 31 balls, which landed him the man-of-the-match award, included four boundaries and three sixes and helped the Orcas to a 35-run win after they posted 177/4 in their allotted 20 overs.

Klaasen's Proteas teammate, Quinton de Kock, opened the batting for the Orcas but only managed 7, while another South Africa, Carmi le Roux, took 0/29 in his four overs for the Unicorns. 

In reply, the Unicorns could only muster 142 all out in 17.5 overs, with Shadab Khan top-scoring with 37 off 23 balls.

The Orcas' Wayne Parnell had a less than stellar outing with the ball, conceding 40 off his three overs without taking a wicket. 

Scores in brief:

Seattle Orcas: 177/4 (Klaasen 53)

San Francisco Unicorns: 142 all out

Orcas win by 35 runs