Seattle Orcas in Turmoil: Coach Mott Ousted, Klaasen Resigns Captaincy Amid Winless Streak

The Seattle Orcas have announced a mid-season change in leadership, parting ways with head coach Matthew Mott. The team, currently at the bottom of the Major League Cricket (MLC) standings with no wins in five matches, cited "differences in coaching and management strategies" as the reason for the decision, according to an official statement on the MLC website.

Orcas face uphill battle after coaching and captaincy changes © MLC

Adding to the upheaval, captain Heinrich Klaasen has also stepped down from his leadership role to concentrate on his batting performance. Sikandar Raza, the Zimbabwean all-rounder, will assume the captaincy.

Hemant Dua, CEO of the Seattle Orcas, addressed the changes: "This is a moment of reflection and renewal for the Seattle Orcas. This has been a tough run for the team, and with it, some difficult decisions had to be made. We are grateful to Matthew for his commitment and professionalism during his time with us, and we wish him the very best in his future endeavors."

Dua continued, "We respect Heinrich's decision to step down voluntarily as captain to focus on his batting. This reflects his character and team-first mindset. Sikandar was our unanimous choice once we heard from Klassen about his decision. We believe these changes set the stage for a strong second half of the season."

The Orcas are aiming to turn their season around after a disappointing run. After finishing at the top of the table and reaching the final in 2023, they finished last in 2024. While currently in a similar position this season, they hope these changes can spark a revival.