MLC Returns For Season 2; MI New York Up Against Seattle Orcas In Opener On July 5

The Major League Cricket (MLC) has unveiled the schedule for its highly anticipated 2024 season, marking another significant milestone in the evolution of T20 cricket in the United States. With an expanded lineup of matches and a stellar cast of international stars and domestic talents, the upcoming season promises to deliver unparalleled excitement and entertainment to cricket enthusiasts worldwide.

Following the resounding success of its inaugural season in 2023, MLC has responded to overwhelming demand by extending the tournament and adding six additional league matches. The eagerly awaited playoff series, slated to take place in Grand Prairie, Texas, is poised to showcase the pinnacle of cricketing excellence.

The action-packed 2024 season will kick off with a bang on July 5, with two electrifying matches scheduled to take place across the country. Headlining the opening fixtures will be the reigning champions, MI New York, featuring the formidable presence of West Indian powerhouse Kieron Pollard. They will lock horns with the Seattle Orcas, led by the dynamic South African duo of Wayne Parnell and Quinton de Kock.

The Texas Super Kings, spearheaded by South African Faf du Plessis, will take on West Indian Sunil Narine’s LA Knight Riders at the purpose-built Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, later in the evening.

The opening weekend will also feature the Australians-stacked Washington Freedom featuring Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and coach Ricky Ponting, facing MI New York on July 6. The San Francisco Unicorns, bolstered by hard-hitting opening New Zealand batter Finn Allen, will host the LA Knight Riders on July 7 at Grand Prairie Stadium, TX.

The Major League Cricket’s CEO, Vijay Srinivasan, said he can’t wait to see the passion and enthusiasm come to life with cricket fans across the country for the second season of Major League Cricket.

“We are incredibly excited to unveil the schedule for the 2024 season,” said Srinivasan.

“This promises to be our most thrilling season yet, with each of the MLC’s six teams actively recruiting in the off-season, adding a host of world-class player signings to their team rosters with more big names to be soon announced.”

With some of world cricket’s biggest current stars and seasoned veterans involved, including the likes of athletic Jamaican allrounder Andre Russell, New Zealand’s left-arm quick, Trent Boult, 2023 MLC Finals MVP Nicholas Pooran, Afghanistan’s superstar spinner, Rashid Khan, together with cricketing royalty in coaches Ricky Ponting, Shane Watson and Stephen Fleming, it demonstrates the depth of talent being attracted to the league,” he added.

In addition to the highly-anticipated matches, MLC remains committed to supporting the long-term infrastructure to foster the growth of local cricket communities further while strengthening cricket’s presence in the US.”

Last year, we unveiled MLC at the newly upgraded Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina, and the brand new Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, which will both once again co-host the 2024 tournament, building on the impact of season one in those communities,” Srinivasan said.”

These venues will deliver world-class pitches and a vibrant atmosphere to support the overall MLC fan experience. Moreover, we are committed to exploring expansion opportunities with new cricket venues to support our six teams’ growing American fanbase,” he said.

Inputs from IANS