Various Celebrities Opt Out of America's Major League Cricket during Crucial Period
In the cricket world, the U.S.-based Major League Cricket (MLC) is preparing for its third season in 2025, boasting a mix of international stars and up-and-coming talent. Among these star players is Australia Test captain and bowling ace Pat Cummins, who briefly graced the league with his presence, although his unavailability has been announced due to international duties and workload management.
Cummins' fellow Aussie Travis Head will also be missing, with Washington Freedom releasing the moustached World Cup hero. Prominent South African players like Kagiso Rabada and David Miller will also skip this iteration, while Steven Smith's availability remains questionable due to international commitments.
Despite these absences, there will still be an impressive collection of stars, such as Heinrich Klaasen, Andre Russell, and Nicholas Pooran. More big names will be unveiled soon, MLC mentioned.
Left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige, who shone in the U.S.'s triumph against Oman, will return to MI New York, along with American players like Unmukt Chand, Cameron Gannon, and Brody Couch.
As MLC strives to solidify its position in international cricket and break into the competitive American sports market, it has garnered significant backing, with an estimated $100 million investment by Indian businessmen linked to Silicon Valley.
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Financial expectations were surpassed in the inaugural season, and the league's growth continued in the recent season, with the newly-appointed CEO, Johnny Grave, taking the helm from Vijay Srinivasan who will be spearheading one of two new franchises set to join in 2027.
While infrastructure developments have been slow, MLC has primarily operated in Dallas, at the former baseball stadium in Grand Prairie, serving as the heart of cricket in the U.S. Texas remains the only team with a dedicated home ground, with other franchises still searching for permanent venues. There's even a possibility that San Francisco Unicorns might call iconic Coliseum home this upcoming season.
While some key players will miss out, the MLC's third season remains an exciting prospect, offering intriguing possibilities and opportunities for growth.
Pat Cummins, the Australia Test captain and renowned bowler, had a brief stint in Major League Cricket (MLC) earlier, but his absence has been announced due to international duties and workload management.
Travis Head, another Australian cricket star, will not be part of MLC's third season as he was released by Washington Freedom.
Despite the absences of some international stars like Pat Cummins and Travis Head, the MLC is still expected to draw a crowd with cricketers like Heinrich Klaasen, Andre Russell, and Nicholas Pooran.
The investment of $100 million by Indian businessmen linked to Silicon Valley has significantly boosted Major League Cricket's (MLC) position in international cricket and the American sports market.
Unmukt Chand, Cameron Gannon, and Brody Couch are some American players who will return to MI New York for MLC's third season, along with left-arm spinner Nosthush Kenjige.
