Steve Smith to play for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket?

Steve Smith can potentially feature in Washington Freedom squad as the MLC franchise have a deal with Smith's state team in Australia, New South Wales (NSW).

Steve Smith to play for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket?

Steve Smith (Image via ICC Cricket)

Australia’s batting stalwart Steve Smith can potentially play in the second edition of the Major League Cricket i.e. MLC 2024. Smith can play for Washington Freedom after the 2024 T20 World Cup as Australia don’t have any international fixtures lined up during that time. Smith already has agreed on a deal to become a brand ambassador of the franchise. 

Also, Steve Smith’s state team in Australia, New South Wales (NSW) have a high-performance partnership with Freedom. A few of the NSW personnel-  Michael Klinger and Greg Shipperd, NSW’s head of male cricket and head coach respectively are already involved with the MLC franchise in similar roles. 

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So, there is very much possibility of Smith also playing for Washington Freedom in the next edition of the tournament. The Australian batter also has a connection with New York, having proposed to his wife Dani there in 2017.

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Steve Smith thinks finishing his career in the USA would be pretty cool

steve smith bbl
Steve Smith in BBL (Image via The Guardian)

Steve Smith who is almost certain to lose his place in the Australian T20I team has previously expressed his desire to play in the USA T20 league. Smith had said a few months back that finishing his career in the US will be pretty cool. 

“As a New South Wales boy, the partnership the Freedom has with my home state means a lot to me,” Smith said in a promotional video (via ESPNCricinfo). “Cricket in Australia has a rich history and I look forward to being part of taking cricket to the United States of America.”

It is worth mentioning that Washington Freedom already have quite a few NSW players including Moises Henriques who is leading the team in the inaugural edition of the tournament. Michael Klinger is pretty optimistic about Smith playing for the franchise in MLC 2024. 

“Steve has a close relationship with New South Wales and Sydney Sixers,” Klinger told ESPNcricinfo. “He obviously had five fantastic games in the last BBL, and to have him on board as an ambassador to promote the team is great. He’s going to really lift the profile of Washington Freedom.

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