Australian stars are playing a prominent role in the upcoming second edition of Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States. Several high-profile Australian cricketers have been signed to MLC teams for the 2024 season:
Aaron Finch, the former Australian white-ball captain, will lead the San Francisco Unicorns franchise. All-rounder Marcus Stoinis has also joined the Unicorns. T20 World Cup hero Mitchell Marsh will play for the Seattle Orcas, along with South African wicketkeeper-batter Quinton de Kock.
Legendary Australian batter Steve Smith has signed with the Washington Freedom, reuniting with teammates Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell. Ricky Ponting, another Australian great, will coach the Freedom side. Other notable Australian signings include Pat Cummins, David Warner, and Mitchell Starc.
Marnus Labuschagne, who will all feature in the 2024 MLC season. The influx of Australian stars is a major boost for the fledgling American cricket league, which has secured over $100 million in investments and is aiming to establish itself as a top T20 tournament outside of the Indian Premier League. The participation of these high-profile Australians is expected to help grow the sport’s popularity and attract more fans in the United States.
The financial details for Australian players in the 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) season have not been explicitly provided in the search results. However, some relevant information can be inferred.
Updating our feed with some 𝐥𝐞𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐫𝐲 goodness 😍#WashingtonFreedom #MLC2024 #RickyPonting pic.twitter.com/HK3DDGgcr1
— Washington Freedom (@WSHFreedom) July 5, 2024
MLC offered higher wages than The Hundred last year, with the top salary in MLC being approximately US$175,000 for a minimum of five games across two-and-a-half weeks, while the top salary in The Hundred was £125,000 for a minimum of eight games across four weeks.
Pat Cummins has signed a four-year contract with the San Francisco Unicorns, indicating a long-term commitment and likely a lucrative deal.
The influx of high-profile Australian stars like Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, and Marcus Stoinis suggests MLC is able to attract top talent with competitive financial packages.
However, the exact salaries or contract details for individual Australian players are not mentioned. The search results focus more on the list of Australian signings and their impact on the league rather than the financial aspects of their deals.