MLC Expansion Challenges English Cricket [x.com]

In a significant development for cricket in North America, Major League Cricket (MLC) has achieved official List-A status from the International Cricket Council (ICC), marking a pivotal moment for the sport’s expansion in the United States of America.

MLC’s Ambitious Growth Sparks Concerns For English Cricket

With plans to bolster its presence in the lucrative USA sports market, MLC aims to expand from six to ten teams, attracting high-profile players and investments from prominent cricketing entities, including IPL franchises.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting heads the Washington Freedom team, joined by renowned players like Kieron Pollard, Faf du Plessis and Aaron Finch.

IPL champions Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) have acquired stakes in MLC teams, signaling a growing interest in American cricket.

MLC’s expansion strategy is set to disrupt the traditional cricketing calendar, with plans to increase the number of games from 19 to 34 by 2025.

“MLC’s expansion plans will increase pressure on the English game to decide whether or not to bring private investment into the Hundred,” Vijay Srinivasan, MLC’s chief executive said.

This growth trajectory poses a challenge to English cricket, particularly impacting the T20 Blast season and potentially influencing decisions regarding private investment in the Hundred.

“All of these people who came on board with us when we started five years ago have been immensely successful in other walks of life,” Srinivasan noted. “They are aware that this isn’t something that can be turned on and off like some other things. It was never anticipated that this change would happen quickly.”

The league’s formidable array of investors, including IPL franchises and business figures like Microsoft’s CEO Satya Nadella, underscores the financial backing behind MLC’s ambitions.