US Major League Cricket receives List A status from ICC

Dubai [UAE],: The United States Major League Cricket has become the second associate franchise tournament to receive List A status from the International Cricket Council, following the United Arab Emirates’ International League T20.

This new status recognises the MLC as a legitimate T20 league and means playing records from the tournament will be used to calculate official format statistics.

Tournament director Justin Geal expressed his feelings following the decision.

“We are really excited about this news as it is a recognition of the high calibre and quality of players participating in the tournament. Awarding MLC List A status for next season acknowledges the strength and growing reputation of the tournament and will ultimately contribute to increasing the credibility of the sport in the United States and on a global scale,” Geal told ESPN Click Info.

He also thanked the ICC for their time and said he would be keeping an eye on cricket in the United States.

“But what’s most important to me is that the performances of the world’s best players and their peers will be properly reflected in their career statistics. U.S. cricket doesn’t always fit into a template, so I’m really grateful to the ICC for taking the time to consider this. We are an associate member country and are proud of that. We have a unique opportunity in front of us, and I’m hopeful that with the upcoming World Cup and a successful season on the back of it, we can continue to lay the foundation for the sport to grow and ultimately succeed in the U.S.,” Gayle added.

The upcoming MLC Season 2 will see reigning champions MI New York, led by West Indies T20 superstar Kieron Pollard, clash with 2023 runners-up Seattle Orcas, captained by South African all-rounder Wayne Parnell, in the opening match on July 5.

The tournament’s second season marks a significant milestone in the history of T20 cricket in the United States. Building on the momentum of its inaugural season in 2023, the MLC has responded to demand by extending the tournament with six additional league matches. The four-match playoff series in Grand Prairie, Texas, is set to captivate cricket fans around the world.

According to an MLC press release, on June 5, South African Faf du Plessis’ Texas Super Kings will take on West Indies off-spinner Sunil Narine’s LA Knight Riders at the purpose-built Grande Prairie Stadium in Grande Prairie, Texas.

The opening weekend will see Washington Freedom, an Australian outfit featuring Steve Smith, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and coach Ricky Ponting, take on MI New York on Saturday, while San Francisco Unicorns, featuring hard-hitting New Zealand opening batsman Finn Allen, will host the LA Knight Riders at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas on Sunday, July 7.

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