Seattle Orcas Shakeup: Coach Mott Out, Klaasen Steps Down as Captain Amid Season Struggles

The Seattle Orcas are undergoing significant changes as they navigate a challenging 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season. The team has parted ways with head coach Matthew Mott and captain Heinrich Klaasen has stepped down.

Orcas seek turnaround after a difficult start to the season © MLC

The Orcas are currently at the bottom of the table with zero wins in five games. According to an official statement on the MLC website, the decision to part ways with Mott was due to 'differences in coaching and management strategies.'

In addition to the coaching change, Heinrich Klaasen has relinquished his captaincy to focus more intently on his batting performance. Sikandar Raza, the experienced Zimbabwe all-rounder, will assume the role of captain.

Hemant Dua, CEO of the Seattle Orcas, commented on 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 also acknowledged Klaasen's decision: "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 recapture their form from 2023, when they topped the table and reached the final. After finishing at the bottom in 2024, the team hopes these mid-season adjustments will spark a turnaround. They still have several games remaining to salvage their season.