Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis in huge US cricket announcement
The two Aussie stars along with Mitchell Marsh were involved in a huge announcement.
Former Australian captain Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh have all joined the Major League Cricket (MLC) competition in the US after announcements on draft day. The Aussie trio have become the first Australian cricket stars confirmed to take part in the inaugural tournament starting in the US later in July.
Finch recently confirmed his retirement as both T20 and One-Day International captain of Australia, but will lead the San Francisco Unicorns. He will captain former Aussie teammate Marcus Stoinis at the new franchise.
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In a huge grab, the Seattle Orcas have signed Mitchell Marsh for their opening season. Marsh has just joined the Australian team on their three game tour of India and has been the star with the bat.
Opening for Australia, Marsh has scored 81 and 66 not out in his two matches against India. And the Orcas will be thrilled to have snared the in-form allrounder.
Western Australian Cameron Gannon has also joined Marsh at the Orcas. The dual Australia/American citizen represented the US in four T20s back in 2019.
A number of other internationals have signed-up for the inaugural season. New Zealanders Corey Anderson and Liam Plunkett have also both joined Finch and Stoinis at the Unicorns.
South African Anrich Nortje signed for the Washington Freedom, while compatriot Quinton de Kock signed for the Orcas. World No.1 T20 bowler Hasaranga Wanindu also signed for the Washington Freedom.
So excited to be a part of @MLCricket @SFOUnicorns https://t.co/1P2vIH6HRm
— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) March 20, 2023
See you stateside this summer, @MStoinis! 💪 https://t.co/L7tnA0ejN8
— Major League Cricket (@MLCricket) March 20, 2023
Steve Smith linked with US cricket move
MLC will hold its inaugural season this July, taking part in Texas and North Carolina over a three-week period. The six-team league has been bankrolled by a number of heavyweights in India, with a reported AU$174 million invested by Microsoft boss Satya Nardella and Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan.
Last week, Cricket NSW unveiled a partnership with MLC that will see American players come over to play in NSW Premier Cricket, and Aussies go the other way to play in the MLC.
The partnership will see Cricket NSW provide players and coaches to the Washington team, which could reportedly eventually include Steve Smith. The talismanic Aussie batter won't play in the American T20 League this year due to the Ashes, but is reportedly weighing up a move to the States once he finishes his Test career.
Smith has a second home in New York and a connection to the Big Apple. He popped the question to wife Dani during a holiday there in 2017.
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