The inaugural Major League Cricket match at the Grand Prairie Stadium brought a vibrant spectacle.
Major League Cricket, Dallas
Texas Super Kings 181-6 (20.0 overs): Miller 61, Conway 55
Los Angeles Knight Riders 112 all out (14.0 overs): Russell 55, Mohsin 4-8
Texas Super Kings triumphed by 69 runs
Major League Cricket (MLC) has the potential to rank second only to the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the largest T20 franchise tournament worldwide, predicts Liam Plunkett.
In the kickoff match in Dallas, Texas Super Kings convincingly beat Los Angeles Knight Riders by 69 runs.
Former English speedster Plunkett, set to debut for San Francisco Unicorns this Friday, anticipates a prosperous future for the MLC.
“The IPL might be tough to surpass, but MLC is being taken very seriously, and America is a significant sports hub,” said Plunkett in an interview with Sport Newes Center.
The newly launched American T20 cricket league spans over two and a half weeks with a 19-game season and comprises six teams: MI New York, Texas Super Kings, Los Angeles Knight Riders, Seattle Orcas, San Francisco Unicorns, and Washington Freedom.
The opening match between the Super Kings and the Knight Riders was a high-quality cricket game, replete with international players, T20 franchise veterans, and passionate gameplay.
Andre Russell led the Knight Riders’ batting effort following a top-order slump, but his dismissal by Dwayne Bravo led to the LA team’s downfall, closing their innings at 112 in 14 overs. Mohammad Mohsin, a US left-arm wrist spinner, produced an excellent 4-8 for Texas.
The recently renovated $20 million Grand Prairie Stadium, former home of the Texas Airhogs baseball team, hosted a much-anticipated opening match. Despite being officially sold out, the stadium was approximately two-thirds full by the time the first ball was delivered by USA national team bowler Ali Khan.
The event had a strong American feel, yet it transformed into a spectacle resembling more of Delhi than Dallas with the sound of whistles and bhangra drums filling the night air.
The MLC, with backers like Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, aims to tap into the 4.6 million-strong Indian diaspora in the US. Notable cricket personalities like Australia’s Steve Smith have associated themselves with the tournament, the latter recently announcing his brand ambassadorship with Washington Freedom.
Plunkett, who relocated to Philadelphia after winning the World Cup with England in 2019, sees the development of the MLC as a potential gold mine for cricketers by connecting them with the US.
Future participation of England’s top players in the MLC is up for debate due to a potential clash with the English summer season. The tournament’s only other English player, opener Jason Roy, had to terminate his white-ball contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to participate in the MLC. The situation may result in players having to make challenging choices, considering the lucrative contracts offered by the MLC.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Major League Cricket
What is Major League Cricket (MLC)?
Major League Cricket is a newly launched T20 cricket league in the United States. The season is structured to consist of 19 games played over two and a half weeks, and it features six teams: MI New York, Texas Super Kings, Los Angeles Knight Riders, Seattle Orcas, San Francisco Unicorns, and Washington Freedom.
Who won the inaugural match of Major League Cricket?
The inaugural match of Major League Cricket was won by Texas Super Kings. They defeated Los Angeles Knight Riders by 69 runs.
Who are some notable backers of Major League Cricket?
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella is one of the significant backers of Major League Cricket. Australia’s Steve Smith, known for his savvy business decisions, has also associated with the tournament, joining Washington Freedom as a brand ambassador.
How does Major League Cricket relate to the Indian Premier League?
According to former England fast bowler Liam Plunkett, Major League Cricket has the potential to become the biggest T20 franchise tournament in the world, just behind the Indian Premier League.
Could Major League Cricket potentially clash with the English cricket season?
Yes, there could be a potential clash with the English summer season, making it a challenging decision for English players who might want to participate in the Major League Cricket. Jason Roy, an English player, had to cancel his contract with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to participate in the MLC.
More about Major League Cricket
- Major League Cricket Official Website
- Indian Premier League Official Website
- England and Wales Cricket Board Official Website
- Steve Smith’s Cricket Profile
- Liam Plunkett’s Cricket Profile
6 comments
Nice to see the Chennai Super Kings owning a team in MLC. Can’t wait for the day when MLC is as big as IPL, if ever! Interesting times ahead.
Plunkett saying MLC is just behind IPL? Those are some bold words. Let’s see if they can back it up! But anyways, more cricket is always good news for fans.
Well this is some news! Can’t wait to see how MLC develops. Anyone got tickets for the next game??
Not sure how I feel about our players going off to the US to play cricket… what’s wrong with good old English cricket? But hey, if it’s good for the sport, why not?
Wow, never thought I’d see the day when cricket starts booming in the US. Exciting times ahead! Let’s see if MLC can really challenge IPL…
69 run win? That’s one way to kick off a league, Texas Super Kings ain’t messing about are they. Looking forward to more games like this.