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

The Seattle Orcas have announced a significant mid-season change, parting ways with head coach Matthew Mott. The move comes as the team struggles to find its footing in the 2025 season of Major League Cricket (MLC), currently sitting at the bottom of the table with no wins in five matches. According to an official statement on the MLC website, the decision was made due to "differences in coaching and management strategies."

The changes come amid a torrid season for the side that is yet to win a game © MLC

In another significant development, captain Heinrich Klaasen has stepped down from his leadership role to concentrate on his batting performance. Sikandar Raza, the experienced Zimbabwean all-rounder, will assume the captaincy.

Hemant Dua, CEO of the Seattle Orcas, addressed the changes, stating, "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 further commented on Klaasen's decision and the appointment of Raza: "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 Seattle 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, the team experienced a last-place finish in 2024. Despite their current struggles, the team still has opportunities to revive their performance in the remaining games of the season.