Australian batter Mitchell Owen has made history in Major League Cricket with an incredible 155 runs off just 68 balls for Washington Freedom against MI New York in Dallas. At just 24 years old, this opener set a new record for the highest individual score in MLC history, leading his team to a formidable total of 245/5. Owen's innings boasted a phenomenal strike rate of 227.94, featuring 11 fours and a whopping 13 sixes.
Not only did he shatter the league record, but he also positioned himself among the top-scoring Australians in T20 cricket. For a good part of his innings, it seemed like he might even challenge Chris Gayle’s all-time T20 record of 175*. Ultimately, he settled for a remarkable MLC milestone, steering Washington Freedom to a vital 30-run victory.
From the very beginning, Owen took charge of the game. He was aggressive during the Powerplay, picked up the pace in the middle overs, and kept the pressure on MI New York throughout his innings. He reached his fifty in just 25 balls, brought up his century in 41 deliveries, and sped to 150 before being dismissed in the 17th over. By that point, the damage was already done.
Highest Scores of Individuals in MLC History
1. Mitchell Owen - 155 vs MI New York (2026)
Owen’s remarkable score of 155 has officially set a new record for the highest individual score in MLC history. Playing for the Washington Freedom, he dazzled everyone with a strike rate of 227.94, launching the ball over the boundary an impressive 13 times. This incredible innings not only broke the previous league record but also propelled Freedom to their first victory of the 2026 season.
2. Finn Allen - 151 vs Washington Freedom (2025)
Before Owen stole the spotlight, Finn Allen set the MLC record with an explosive 151 off just 51 balls while playing for the San Francisco Unicorns. That incredible innings included a staggering 19 sixes and is still regarded as one of the quickest and most devastating performances in franchise T20 cricket.
3. Nicholas Pooran - 137* vs Seattle Orcas (2023 Final)
Nicholas Pooran’s incredible unbeaten 137 in the very first MLC final is definitely one for the history books. While chasing down a target of 184, the MI New York captain smashed his way to a century in just 40 balls, leading his team to a comfortable victory and securing the championship with style.
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4. Andre Fletcher - 118 vs San Francisco Unicorns (2025)
Andre Fletcher delivered an incredible performance, smashing 118 runs off just 58 balls for the Los Angeles Knight Riders. The West Indies opener really turned up the heat after hitting his fifty, propelling his team to a huge score in a match that was cut short by rain.
MI New York Lose To Washington Freedom By 30 Runs
Even with Owen's impressive performance, the match had another story to tell. Kieron Pollard unleashed a stunning unbeaten century off just 56 balls, making him the highest run-scorer in men's T20 cricket, surpassing the legendary Chris Gayle. Unfortunately for MI New York, their early collapse meant they had a mountain to climb. Washington Freedom kept their cool and managed to limit the defending champions to 215/6, clinching a 30-run victory in what turned out to be one of the highest-scoring games in MLC history.
