The Seattle Orcas have announced strategic mid-season leadership changes aimed at rejuvenating their Major League Cricket (MLC) Season 3 campaign following a tough 0-5 start.

In a major move, the franchise has parted ways with Head Coach Matthew Mott, citing differences in coaching and management strategies. The Orcas thank Mott for his contributions and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

Further, Heinrich Klaasen has decided to step down from his role as Captain to focus fully on his responsibilities as a batter. Klaasen's commitment to performance and team success remains unwavering, and he remains an integral part of the leadership group.

Taking over the captaincy is seasoned international all-rounder Sikandar Raza, whose extensive international experience and cricketing intelligence position him to lead the squad through the remainder of the season.

“This is a moment of reflection and renewal for the Seattle Orcas,” said Hemant Dua, CEO of 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. 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 remain committed to delivering exciting, competitive cricket to fans while building a sustainable legacy in the MLC. These changes reflect a bold, proactive approach to turning the season around, anchored in unity, adaptability, and performance.

Media Contact:
Jessica Ivey
Director of Marketing and Communications
Seattle Orcas
press@seattleorcas.com

206.251.7581