England World Cup winner Liam Plunkett and former Australia captain Aaron Finch are among the players to sign up for Major League Cricket – a new T20 tournament in America.
The first edition of the competition takes place this summer in Dallas, Texas, after being pushed back a year.
Ex-Australia captain Finch – who retired from international cricket in February – is one of six overseas players, with South Africa skipper Quinton de Kock also signing up.
Finch played 254 games for Australia across all formats and led the side to their first T20 World Cup title in 2021.
The 36-year-old will team up with former England bowler Plunkett for San Francisco Unicorns.
Plunkett, who played in England’s World Cup final win over New Zealand in 2019, is eligible as a domestic player because his wife is American.
The six teams involved – San Francisco Unicorns, Washington Freedom, MI New York, Seattle Orcas, Los Angeles Knight Riders – picked nine US-based players in the draft alongside six overseas signings, with more to be confirmed next month.
USA Cricket became an associate member of the International Cricket Council in 2019 and hopes to become a full member by 2030.
‘I’ve enjoyed a fantastic career with England, and after retiring from international cricket, I am delighted to be able to help build the sport in America in both playing and coaching capacities.
‘In addition, I am looking forward to supporting the team closest to our home in the US by being able to play for the Philadelphians in Minor League Cricket.’
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