Mitchell Owen Gives Chris Gayle’s 175 Close Call, Beats MLC’s Highest Individual Score

Mitchell Owen [Source: X.com]

Australia all-rounder Mitchell Owen made history on Sunday (June 21) with a sensational batting performance in Major League Cricket (MLC 2026). The match was played between Washington Freedom and MI New York at the Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium in Dallas.

After MI New York won the toss and chose to bowl, things did not go as planned for Nicholas Pooran and his team. Washington Freedom's opening batters, Steven Smith and Mitchell Owen, got their side off to a strong start. Owen was aggressive right from the beginning and batted brilliantly during the powerplay overs.

Mitchell Owen's Explosive Start Stuns MI New York

Meanwhile, Smith played a supporting role and allowed Owen to take control of the innings. Together, the pair built a strong opening partnership of 134 runs. 

The partnership ended when Washington Freedom captain Steven Smith was dismissed for 27 runs from 21 balls. He hit a delivery from Corey Anderson to Romario Shepherd.

However, the 24-year-old all-rounder looked completely in control throughout his innings and kept the MI New York bowlers under relentless pressure with his exceptional stroke play. 

It is worth mentioning that Mitchell Owen came into the match in form after scoring 61 runs in Washington Freedom's previous MLC game. He carried that confidence into this contest and produced one of the greatest innings in the tournaments history.

At one stage, he appeared well on course to challenge Chris Gayle's record of 175, the highest individual score in T20 cricket. However, a lack of strike in the latter stages of the innings slowed his momentum and prevented him from making a serious push towards the milestone.

Mitchell Owen Registers Highest Individual Score In MLC History

The right-handed batter smashed an incredible 155 runs from just 68 balls at a remarkable strike rate of 227.94. His amazing knock included 11 fours and 13 sixes. Eventually his innings came to an end when Corbin Bosch dismissed him. By then the damage had already been done.

Also Read: Revealed: Why R Ashwin Didn’t Make His MLC Debut For San Francisco Unicorns vs LAKR?

Notably, Owen's innings helped him break a major MLC record. His score of 155 became the highest individual score ever recorded in MLC history.

Previously, the record belonged to Finn Allen, who scored 151 runs for the San Francisco Unicorns against Washington Freedom in Oakland during the 2025 season. However, Mitchell Owen has now moved to the top of the list with his performance.

Highest Individual Scores in Major League Cricket (MLC)

• 155 – Mitchell Owen (Washington Freedom) vs MI New York, Dallas 2026
• 151 – Finn Allen (San Francisco Unicorns) vs Washington Freedom, Oakland 2025
• 137* – Nicholas Pooran (MI New York) vs Seattle Orcas, Dallas 2023
• 118 – Andre Fletcher (Los Angeles Knight Riders) vs San Francisco Unicorns, Lauderhill, 2025
• 113* – Faf du Plessis (Texas Super Kings) vs Seattle Orcas, Dallas 2026

Washington Freedom Post A Daunting Target For MI New York

It is important to note that Washington Freedom finished with a total of 245 for 5 in their allotted 20 overs. The score became the highest team total, in MLC history.

Notably, Mitchell Owen's heroics put Washington Freedom in a commanding position and left MI New York facing a very difficult chase.

At the time of writing MI New York are struggling in their chase of 246 runs. They have reached 134 runs while losing six wickets.

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