Australian Test and ODI captain Pat Cummins, and star all-rounder Marcus Stoinis are the latest Australians to join the United States of America’s (USA) Major League Cricket (MLC) following their 2024 World Cup-winning exploits and heroics of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024. Pat Cummins has signed a four-year contract with the San Francisco Unicorns, while Stoinis has joined the Texas Super Kings, just a month after his impressive century for Lucknow Super Giants against Chennai Super Kings in the recently concluded IPL 2024.


The second season of the USA franchise T20 league, which has acquired List A status from the International Cricket Council (ICC), is scheduled to be played from July 6 to 29. Cummins will team up with explosive Aussie batter Jake Fraser McGurk at the Unicorns, while Stoinis will have compatriot Aaron Hardie as a teammate at the Super Kings. Notably, Pat Cummins led Sunrisers Hyderabad to the final of the IPL 2024 where they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders. He received vast admiration for his aggressive captaincy in the whole tournament.


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MLC CEO Highlights League's Global Impact With Pat Cummins Signing


MLC CEO Vijay Srinivasan stated that signing a world-class player like Pat Cummins highlights the league's ability to attract top talent, underscoring its global impact and the success of its inaugural season.


"Signing a world-class player like Pat Cummins is a testament to the calibre of talent the league is attracting, underscoring our global impact and the success of the inaugural season," said MLC CEO Vijay Srinivasan on Tuesday after the announcement of Cummins' signing, as quoted by Cricbuzz.


Head, Maxwell & Smith To Ply Trade For Washington Freedom


Additionally, Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head and former Australia captain Steve Smith have signed with Washington Freedom, which also boasts New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and uncapped Australian Jack Edwards. These players will be coached by Australia's two-time World Cup winning captain Ricky Ponting.


Other notable international signings for MLC 2024 include:


-Bangladesh: Shakib Al Hasan
-South Africa: David Miller, Aiden Markram, Anrich Nortje, Nandre Burger
-West Indies: Romario Shepherd, Obed McCoy
-New Zealand: Daryl Mitchell