Major League Cricket (MLC) is a new Twenty20 tournament that will take place in the United States from July 13 to July 30, 2023. The league will feature six franchises based in different cities across the country, and will showcase some of the best T20 players from around the world along with the strongest domestic talent in the US.
Among the overseas star players who have signed up for the inaugural edition of MLC are several Australians who have made their mark in international cricket and various T20 leagues. Here is a look at some of the Australian players who will feature in MLC and what they bring to their respective teams.
Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis (Dallas Stars)
The Dallas Stars have secured the services of two World Cup winners and explosive batsmen in Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis. Finch, who captained Australia to their fifth World Cup title in 2023, is one of the most prolific and consistent openers in limited-overs cricket. He has scored over 6000 runs in ODIs and over 2500 runs in T20Is, with 17 centuries and 38 half-centuries across both formats. He also holds the record for the highest individual score in T20Is, with 172 runs against Zimbabwe in 2018.
Stoinis, who was Finch’s opening partner in the World Cup, is a versatile and powerful all-rounder who can bat anywhere in the order and bowl useful medium pace. He has scored over 2000 runs and taken over 50 wickets in ODIs and T20Is combined, with a highest score of 147 not out and best bowling figures of 4 for 15. He also had a stellar season in the Big Bash League (BBL) in 2019-20, where he scored 705 runs at an average of 54.23 and a strike rate of 136.62, winning the player of the tournament award.
Finch and Stoinis will bring a wealth of experience and leadership to the Dallas Stars, as well as a formidable opening partnership that can set up big totals or chase down any target.
Mitch Marsh (Chicago Fire)
The Chicago Fire have picked up another World Cup winner and dynamic all-rounder in Mitch Marsh, who played a crucial role in Australia’s triumph in India earlier this year. Marsh scored 226 runs at an average of 56.50 and a strike rate of 113.00, including a match-winning 73 not out against New Zealand in the semi-final. He also chipped in with six wickets at an economy rate of 5.50, showing his ability to contribute with both bat and ball.
Marsh has been a regular member of Australia’s limited-overs teams since his debut in 2011, scoring over 3000 runs and taking over 100 wickets in ODIs and T20Is combined. He has also played 38 Tests, scoring four centuries and taking four five-wicket hauls. He has also featured in various T20 leagues around the world, such as the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) and the BBL.
Marsh will add depth and balance to the Chicago Fire’s line-up, as well as a calm and composed temperament under pressure.
Matthew Wade, Moises Henriques and Adam Zampa (Washington Freedom)
The Washington Freedom have announced three Australian players who will join their squad for MLC: Matthew Wade, Moises Henriques and Adam Zampa. Wade is a wicketkeeper-batsman who can bat anywhere in the order and provide impetus to the innings with his aggressive strokeplay. He has scored over 2000 runs in ODIs and T20Is combined, with three centuries and nine half-centuries. He has also kept wickets for Australia in all three formats, taking over 100 catches and effecting over 30 stumpings.
Henriques is an experienced all-rounder who can bat in the middle order and bowl handy medium pace. He has played for Australia in all three formats, scoring over 1000 runs and taking over 40 wickets. He has also captained the Sydney Sixers to two consecutive BBL titles in 2019-20 and 2020-21, leading from the front with his performances. He will take up the captaincy role for Washington Freedom as well.
Zampa is a leg-spinner who has established himself as one of Australia’s premier white-ball bowlers in recent years. He has taken over 150 wickets in ODIs and T20Is combined, with a best of 4 for 19. He has also played in various T20 leagues, such as the IPL, the CPL and the BBL, where he has been among the leading wicket-takers. He is known for his variations, accuracy and ability to contain the batsmen in the middle overs.
Wade, Henriques and Zampa will bring a lot of skill and experience to the Washington Freedom, as well as a winning mentality and a competitive spirit.
Other Australians in MLC
Apart from the above-mentioned players, there are some other Australians who have been linked to MLC franchises and could feature in the tournament. These include:
- Josh Philippe: A young and talented wicketkeeper-batsman who has impressed in the BBL and the IPL with his explosive batting at the top of the order. He has scored over 1500 runs in T20s, with a strike rate of over 140. He is also a safe and agile keeper behind the stumps. He could join Henriques at Washington Freedom.
- Ben Dwarshuis: A left-arm fast bowler who can swing the ball both ways and bowl at different stages of the innings. He has taken over 100 wickets in T20s, with a best of 4 for 13. He is also a useful lower-order batsman who can hit some big shots. He could also join Henriques at Washington Freedom.
- Glenn Maxwell: A star all-rounder who can change the course of any game with his batting, bowling or fielding. He has scored over 6000 runs and taken over 100 wickets in T20s, with a strike rate of over 150 and an economy rate of under 8. He is also one of the most innovative and entertaining batsmen in the world, who can play shots all around the ground. He could join Zampa at Los Angeles Knight Riders.
Major League Cricket is set to be an exciting and competitive tournament that will showcase some of the best T20 talent from around the world and help grow the game in the US. The Australian players who will feature in MLC will bring a lot of quality and experience to their respective teams, as well as a passion and enthusiasm for cricket. They will also have an opportunity to play in front of new and diverse audiences, and inspire the next generation of cricketers in America.
