Australian star cricketer Pat Cummins has inked a four-year deal with the San Francisco Unicorns, making him one of the marquee players in Major League Cricket (MLC). This move marks a significant step in Cummins’ career, as he has traditionally limited his T20 appearances to the Indian Premier League (IPL) and has not played in Australia’s Big Bash League since the 2018-19 season due to international commitments.

Exploring New Opportunities

In a statement released by the San Francisco Unicorns, Cummins expressed his excitement about the growing potential of cricket in the U.S. market.

“MLC is developing at a rapid rate, and the US market potential is huge for cricket,” Cummins said in a statement released by SF Unicorns. “While cricket is integral to my involvement, the global network and long-term possibilities offered by the owners specifically, and Silicon Valley more broadly, presented a unique opportunity for me and my life beyond cricket.

He also highlighted the unique opportunities presented by the franchise owners, Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, who are prominent Silicon Valley entrepreneurs.

Balancing Commitments

The MLC season is scheduled from July 6 to 29 this year. However, Australia’s international schedule might pose challenges for Cummins’ availability. Australia is set to tour the West Indies for a full series in June-July, which includes two Tests, three ODIs, and three T20Is.

As Australia’s Test and ODI captain, Cummins’ participation in both the MLC and the national team’s tour remains uncertain. Although he does not captain Australia’s T20I team, he recently led the Sunrisers Hyderabad to the IPL 2024 final.

San Francisco Unicorns Star-Studded Lineup

Cummins will be joined by fellow Australian Jake Fraser-McGurk at the San Francisco Unicorns this season. The Washington Freedom franchise has also secured several high-profile Australians, including Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, and Steven Smith, along with New Zealand’s Rachin Ravindra.

Other notable MLC signings for 2024 include Bangladesh’s Shakib Al Hasan and South Africa’s David Miller with the Los Angeles Knight Riders, and South Africa’s Anrich Nortje and West Indies’ Romario Shepherd with MI New York.

MLC’s Growing Prestige

Entering its second season, the MLC has been granted List A status, making it the second Associate-run franchise competition to receive this recognition from the ICC after the UAE’s ILT20.

This status ensures that the MLC will be recognized as an official T20 league, with player performances and statistics counting towards official records. The addition of players like Pat Cummins underscores the league’s growing influence and the exciting future of cricket in the United States.