Pat Cummins Joins Major League Cricket
The appeal of Major League Cricket (MLC) as a premier T20 destination has surged, highlighted by Australian star Pat Cummins signing a substantial four-year deal with the San Francisco Unicorns. This move signifies another major signing that the Big Bash League (BBL) has missed, as Cummins joins other top Australian cricketers, including Steve Smith, in committing to the emerging competition.
Limited Involvement in the Big Bash
Since 2018, Cummins has not participated in the BBL due to international obligations that limit the availability of Australia’s elite players. Although many, including Cummins, have taken on ambassador roles to maintain ties with the BBL, his active playing involvement has been minimal. Cummins’ only overseas league experience before this was with the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he signed multiple lucrative contracts and earned over $3 million as the Sunrisers Hyderabad captain this season.
Cricket’s Rising Popularity in the US
Cricket’s popularity is burgeoning in the United States, with upcoming T20 World Cup matches scheduled in New York and Dallas. Cummins expressed optimism about cricket’s future in the US, noting his desire to be part of this growth. “MLC is developing at a rapid rate, and the US market potential is huge for cricket,” Cummins stated. “While cricket is integral to my involvement, the global network and long-term possibilities offered by the owners specifically, and Silicon Valley more broadly, presented a unique opportunity for me and my life beyond cricket.”
Impact on Cummins’ Availability
The MLC is slated to take place from July 6 to 29 this year, following the World Cup. However, Cummins’ participation next year might be affected by a two-Test series in the West Indies scheduled for June and July.
Australian Stars in MLC
Cummins joins a notable group of Australians in the MLC, including batting sensation Jake Fraser-McGurk, who will also play for the San Francisco Unicorns this season. The Washington Freedom has also secured high-profile Australians like Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, and Steve Smith.
Official Recognition of MLC
Recognized as an official T20 league with List A status in its second season, the MLC’s records will now count towards official T20 statistics, underscoring its growing significance in the cricketing world.(Dubai7 realmoneygame)