Major League Cricket- a new dawn of franchise cricket arrives Stateside
America is about to take a historic step into the world of cricket- and it’s set to be eye-opening
The big hitting entertainment of T20 franchise cricket has planted itself on almost every continent of the world now. The IPL and the Big Bash are two of the more well established competitions, with the Hundred still being relatively new as it enters its third year in 2023.
However, it will be to stadiums in North America where the eyes of the cricketing world will be turning this July as Major League Cricket gets underway for its inaugural season. This next step into franchise cricket is set to be exciting and backed with the sort of money we’ve seen the likes of The Hundred and the Big Bash receive. It is also a step towards turning cricket into a regular feature on the American sporting calendar.
The Americans have a great track record when it comes to putting on a sporting show. The Super Bowl is the prime example of this, and a sport which is as fast and dramatic as T20 cricket has a great opportunity to be successfully marketed and executed by America.
There will be six teams to take part in the first ever MLC season- and each has a name which is more wonderful than the last. Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings and Washington Freedom will battle it out in 19 matches.
For the inaugural season, the MLC has said the majority of matches will take place at a purpose built cricket and baseball stadium down in Texas. The Grand Prairie Stadium will also host the first game of the tournament.
Like with the other franchise tournaments, the MLC will be littered with world class overseas players. Amongst the big names so far is England international Liam Plunkett, but one of the most eye-catching signings would be Jason Roy who has, according to reports, been offered a £300,000 deal to head stateside.
Teams will announce more big-name international signings as they become official, and each squad has a chance to pick another domestic player in early July based on performances in the Minor League Cricket season.
A dip into the exciting world of T20 cricket feels like something which has been a long time in the making for America. It will be an intriguing time for the sport across the Atlantic, but it’s going to be exciting to say the least.
MLC tournament director Justin Geale said: “The eyes of world cricket will be on the launch of Major League Cricket, with the stars of the game competing over three weeks of fast-paced T20 action. The launch of MLC will transform American cricket and provide one of the best platforms in the sport for the world’s most elite players to showcase their skills while also fast-tracking the development of domestic talent to feature in the league.”
Bringing the game to more people is always important, and doing this using the T20 format is the best of all these ways. An addition to the global franchise cricket schedule may have some logistical problems further down the line, but the initial success of the inaugural tournament will be at the forefront of everyone’s mind.
So strap in and enjoy, because American T20 franchise cricket is here. And it will not be dull.
