Seattle Orcas in Crisis: Head Coach Mott Ousted, Klaasen Quits Captaincy Amid Winless Streak

Seattle Orcas Shake-Up: Coach Mott Departs, Klaasen Resigns Captaincy

The Seattle Orcas have announced a significant shake-up within their ranks, parting ways with head coach Matthew Mott midway through the 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season. The team currently sits at the bottom of the league standings, having failed to secure a single victory in their first five matches. According to an official statement released by the MLC, the decision was made due to "differences in coaching and management strategies."

Orcas facing a tough season with no wins yet © MLC

Adding to the Orcas' woes, captain Heinrich Klaasen has also stepped down from his leadership role to concentrate on his batting performance. Sikandar Raza, the experienced Zimbabwean all-rounder, will assume the captaincy with immediate effect.

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 further commented on Klaasen's decision and Raza's appointment: "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, who finished top of the table and reached the final in 2023, experienced a disappointing last-place finish in the 2024 season. They currently find themselves in a similar position this season, but with games still to play, the team will be hoping to turn their fortunes around.