Which overseas cricketers will play in Major League Cricket (MLC) to be held in the United States later this summer? Jason Roy, Faf du Plessis, Anrich Nortje, Aaron Finch, Quinton de Kock, Wanindu Hasaranga, and Sikandar Raza are some of the high-profile overseas players who will play in MLC.
The MLC draft held at the NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas started proceedings in March.
Creating a unique blend of talent and entertainment, Major League Cricket (MLC) in USA has signed up 11 overseas cricketers already. From Australia’s explosive captain Aaron Finch to South African wicket-keeper Quinton de Kock, MLC have added some major stars to their line-up.
With a total of 54 overseas spots open (6 teams, 9 overseas slots per squad), more such high-profile signings are just around the corner.
Key Takeaways
13 cricketers from South Africa, 12 from Australia, 8 from New Zealand, 7 from West Indies, 3 from Afghanistan, 2 from Pakistan, 2 from West Indies, 1 from England, 1 from India, 1 from Namibia, and 1 from Zimbabwe have signed for Major League Cricket (MLC) so far.
9 overseas players can be added to each Major League Cricket squad, but only 7 of them can feature in the XI.
Ross Taylor (batting coach – Seattle Orcas), Johan Botha (bowling coach – Seattle Orcas), & Stephen Fleming (Head coach – Texas Super Kings), Albie Morkel (Assistant coach – Texas Super Kings), Shane Watson (coach – San Francisco Unicorns), Dale Steyn (Bowling Coach – Washington Freedom) are other high-profile foreign cricketers who will be involved with Major League Cricket (MLC).
Steve Smith has signed up as an ‘ambassador’ with the Washington Freedom team, but will not feature in the 2023 inaugural MLC edition.
Wanindu Hasaranga, Sikandar Raza, and Ambati Rayudu have since withdrawn from the tournament.
List of Overseas Cricketers in Major League Cricket (MLC)
Here is the list of overseas cricketers who have been signed in MLC.
Note: Unmukt Chand, Dane Piedt, Corey Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Shehan Jayasuriya, Rusty Theron, Sami Aslam, etc. qualify as domestic players.
Other Franchise Teams: Delhi Daredevils, Kings XI Punjab, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Sunrisers Hyderabad, Sydney Sixers
Role: Right Arm Medium/Right Hand Bat (All Rounder)
Other Franchise Teams: Royal Challengers Bangalore, Rising Pune Supergiants, Sydney Thunder, Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Strikers, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs, Dubai Capitals, Welsh Fire
Other Franchise Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Joburg Super Kings, Rising Pune Supergiants, Comilla Victorians, Jaffna Kings, Melbourne Renegades, Northern Superchargers, Paarl Rocks, Perth Scorchers, Peshawar Zalmi, Quetta Gladiators, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, St. Lucia Kings, Titans
Other Franchise Teams: Lahore Qalandars, Melbourne Stars
Role: Right Arm Fast Bowler
48. Shadab Khan (San Francisco Unicorns)
International Team: Pakistan
Other Franchise Teams: Islamabad United, Brisbane Heat, Dhaka Platoon, Edmonton Royals, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Hobart Hurricanes, Khulna Tigers, Sydney Sixers, Trinbago Knight Riders
Role: Right Arm Leg break/ Right-Hand Batter (All Rounder)
49. Tanveer Sangha (Washington Freedom)
International Team: Australia (has not debuted yet)
Other Franchise Teams: Sydney Thunder, Birmingham phoenix
Role: Right Arm Leg Break
50. Shimron Hetmyer (Seattle Orcas)
International Team: West Indies
IPL Team: Rajasthan Royals
Other Franchise Teams: Delhi Capitals, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Quetta Gladiators, Multan Sultans, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Gulf Giants
Role: Left-Hand Batter
51. Dwaine Pretorius (Seattle Orcas)
International Team: South Africa (now retired)
Other Franchise Teams: Chennai Super Kings, Durban Super Giants, Quetta Gladiators, St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots, Welsh Fire
Role: Right Arm Fast/Right-Hand Batter (All-Rounder)
Final Thoughts
Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA has attracted some of the biggest names in world cricket, with 48 overseas cricketers making the cut and showing their skills on the big stage.
The likes of Aaron Finch, Quinton de Kock, and many other prominent figures are sure to bring a dynamic dimension to the tournament and make it an exciting affair. The level of competition is sure to be high, as teams battle for the title of MLC champions. Fans can expect plenty of action in this highly anticipated tournament!
Which overseas cricketers would you like to see play in Major League Cricket?
Frequently Asked Questions: Overseas Cricketers in Major League Cricket
How many overseas players can a MLC team have in their squads?
Each Major League Cricket (MLC) team is allowed to have 9 overseas players in their squads along with 10 domestic cricketers.
Which country has most players in Major League Cricket as overseas players?
So far, 12 South African cricketers have been signed as overseas signings in MLC 2023.
Which Major League Cricket (MLC) team has signed the most overseas players?
Washington Freedom has so far signed 7 high-profile signings so far. Anrich Nortje, Wanindu Hasaranga, Marco Jansen, Glenn Phillips, Adam Milne, Moises Henriques, and Ben Dwarshuis.
How many overseas players can play in a XI of a Major League Cricket (MLC) match?
Up to six players can play in a MLC match, while nine overseas cricketers can be signed in the squad.
With the Major League Cricket beginning this year, we look at all the cricketers who left their countries and moved to play cricket in the USA.
The United States of America is becoming an increasingly popular destination for cricketers looking to pursue a career in the sport. Over the years, many international players from around the world have left their home countries and moved to the US in search of greater opportunities. From West Indies to South Africa, here are 53 cricketers who have left their countries and moved to play cricket in the USA.
Key Takeaways
At least 85 cricketers have left their home countries to pursue cricket in the USA.
This includes 16 West Indian cricketers, 19 South Africans, 22 Indians, 4 Sri Lankan, 4 Australian, 11 Pakistani, 2 from New Zealand, 2 from Nepal, and 5 from other nations (England, UAE, Canada, Afghanistan, Bangladesh)
11 of these players have played international cricket, at least 11-15 others have played at an U-19 level in their home countries, and a few others (Sunny Sohal, Siddharth Trivedi, Bipul Sharma, etc.) have even been picked up deals in the IPL.
Other current WI international players like Rakheem Cornwall & Chandrapaul Hemraj are not officially included in this list. However, a few such WI players play in Minor League Cricket (MiLC) and other local American clubs for extra practice in their off-season.
Credit: This list is largely inspired from the updated reports and tweets of American cricket journalist, Peter Della Penna. For example, see this tweet.
ICYMI – here's all the former South Africa U19 players so far (not including ex-SA senior international Dane Piedt) who have signed for ACE/MLC + started 3-year residency clock to play for USA:
David Bunn Cody Chetty Justin Dill Corne Dry Willem Ludick Obus Pienaar David White
Which Cricketers Changed Their Nationality to play for the USA?
From the 2012 U-19 winning captain, Unmukt Chand to the 2019 Cricket World Cup winner, Liam Plunkett, here is the list of Top 24 players who left their countries to play cricket in the USA (extended list of 56 players and honorable mentions below)
*Note: Not all of these players are eligible to play for the USA national team at the moment. The residency process will take 3-4 years. Until that is achieved, the players will live here and play in the Minor/Major League Cricket.
1. Xavier Marshall (West Indies, 2005-2018)
Teams: Jamaica, West Indies, West Indies U-19s
Age When Left Home Country: 32
Current Age: 36
Minor League Team: New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers
Claim to Fame:Broke Shahid Afridi’s record with 12 sixes in an innings when he scored 157*(118) vs Canada in 2008. West Indies Youth Cricketer of the Year (2005), played 7 Tests and numerous limited overs game for the West Indies
Teams: Pakistan, Pakistan U-19s, Balochistan, Sindh, Lahore Eagles, National Bank of Pakistan
Age When Left Home Country: 25
Current Age: 27
Claim to Fame: Played in 2012 & 2014 U-19 WCs, captaining Pakistan to the final in the latter. 2nd Highest U-19 ODI run-scorer. Promising start to Test career with 7 fifties and best of 91.
Teams: New Zealand, New Zealand U-19, New Zealand A, Auckland, Canterbury, Northern Districts, Mumbai Indians, Delhi Daredevils, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Somerset, Lahore Qalandars, Barbados Tridents
Teams: Sri Lanka, Sri Lanka U-19s, Sri Lanka U-23s, Sri Lanka Board President’s XI, Police Sports Club, Chittagong Kings, Galle Gladiators
Age When Left Home Country: 29
Current Age: 31
Claim to Fame:Scored 96 in an ODI vs Pakistan in a rearguard effort to bring SL from 28/5 to 205/6. SL still lost the game, but good innings nevertheless.
Minor League Team: Silicon Valley Strikers
Role: Allrounder (Left-handed batter, Right arm off break)
Teams: West Indies, West Indies U-19s, West Indies A, Guyana, Guyana Amazon Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs
Age When Left Home Country: 32
Current Age: 37
Claim To Fame: Leading scorer in the 2008-09 domestic tournament. Took Sachin Tendulkar’s final Test wicket. Played 18 Tests, 31 ODIs, and 8 T20Is for the West Indies.
Minor League Team: Silicon Valley Strikers
Role: Allrounder (Left Hand Bat, Right Arm off break)
Claim to Fame: 2019 Cricket World Cup winner (3 wickets in the final including Kane Williamson), key to England’s limited overs revival. 2008-09 County Champions with Durham. Played 13 Tests, 89 ODI, and 22 T20Is for England
Minor League Team: The Philadelphians (Player/Coach)
Role: Right Arm Fast Bowler (and lower order hitter)
Note, Plunkett traveled to the USA and has played club cricket in the USA earlier even when he was representing England since his wife is from the United States.
Teams: South Africa, South Africa A, Rajasthan Royals, Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Eastern Province, Warriors, Jamaica Tallawahs
Age When Left Home Country: 31
Current Age: 37
Claim to Fame: MTN Domestic Championship Cricketer of the Year (2008), Player of the Match for Kings XI Punjab in an IPL 2010 match. He was selected for the 2010 T20 World Cup
Teams: India U-19s, India U-23s, India Blue, Indian Board President’s XI, Baroda, Gujarat, Tripura, Goa, Barbados Royals
Age When Left Home Country: 28
Current Age: 29
Claim to Fame: 2012 U-19 WC Final star, forming a 130-run partnership with Unmukt Chand and himself scoring 62*(84). Scored a total of 11 first-class centuries.
Minor League Team: Manhattan Yorkers
Role: Wicketkeeper, Right Hand Batter
*Note, Patel is a green card holder and has been in the USA on and off since 2010, when his family moved to Pennsylvania.
Teams: India U-19s, India A, Punjab, Deccan Chargers, Kings XI Punjab, Royal Challengers Bangalore, Barbados Tridents, Winnipeg Hawks
Age When Left Home Country: 27
Current Age: 36
Claim to Fame: Highest run-scorer for Punjab in the 2008-09 Ranji Season, player of the Match in an IPL match, India U-19 player in 2007-08 alongside Virat Kohli, Piyush Chawla, Ravindra Jadeja, etc.
Teams: Western Australia, Queensland, Brisbane Heat, Melbourne Renegades
Age When Left Home Country: 30
Current Age: 34
Claim to Fame: Took 31 wickets in the 2012-13 Sheffeld Shield season
Role: Right Arm Fast Bowler
*still has a contract with Western Australia. He played a few T20Is for the USA in 2019 but returned to Australia domestic cricket. He has since been recalled in USA training camps.
West Indies International Players who Play in the MiLC
Although Chandrapaul Hemraj (New Jersey Somerset Cavaliers) played in Minor League Cricket (and hit lots of sixes), he still eyes a West Indies recall and is using MiLC as off-season practice
Similarly, Rakheem Cornwall plays for the Atlanta Fire
Hayden Walsh Jr. was born in the U.S. Virgin Islands and played for the US national team between 2018-19. However, he switched his cricket allegiance to the West Indies after 2019.
Now 40, Fidel Edwards plays for the Silicon Valley Strikers after a long (on & off) West Indies international & illustrious County career.
Final Thoughts – Why Are Cricketers Leaving Their Countries to Play Cricket in the USA?
Competition and financial security are two of the biggest reasons why cricketers are choosing to leave their home countries to play cricket in the USA.
Several of these cricketers played up till the U-19 and domestic levels. However, they could not make the cut to the international level. This has an impact on both personal desires and direct monetary value. Since USA cricket has been offering decent contracts to cricketers, and national boards of West Indies, South Africa, and New Zealand continue to struggle, we may continue to see the exodus of cricketers from those nations.
Will this help USA cricket qualify for world tournaments and establish Major League Cricket in this crowded T20 calendar?
How many cricketers left their countries to play cricket in the USA?
At least 85cricketers have left their home countries to pursue in the USA, including 11 former international cricketers. This includes 14 West Indian cricketers, 12 South Africans, 11 Indians, 3 Sri Lankans, 3 Australians, 2 Pakistanis, 2 from New Zealand, and 6 from other nations (England, UAE, Canda, Nepal, Afghanistan, and Bangladesh).
Which Pakistani cricketer moved to the USA?
Sami Aslam and Shayan Jahangir are the Pakistani cricketers who moved to the USA.
Which Indian cricketers moved to the USA?
Unmukt Chand, Smit Patel, Sunny Sohal, Siddharth Trivedi, Harmeet Singh, and Bipul Sharma are six of the most prominent Indian cricketers who moved to the USA.
Which cricket players changed their nationalities?
Xavier Marshall, Gajanand Singh, Timil Patel, and a few other cricketers have changed their nationalities to play cricket in the USA. Others like Eoin Morgan, Ed Joyce, Boyd Rankin (Ireland to England) and Kepler Wessels (South Africa to Australia) are other examples of cricketers changing their nationalities and playing for two nations.
Currently, there are at least 34 cricket stadiums in USA (including grounds, parks, etc.), two of which have been certified by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and 24 local cricket grounds are being used by Minor League Cricket teams. Additionally, five more upcoming stadiums are currently being planned.
These stadiums are located all across the US, from California to Florida, North Carolina to Texas, and Georgia to name a few. Their sizes range from large-scale venues with plenty of seating space to small grassy fields that are more intimate in size.
In the United States, cricket has gained more popularity in recent years, leading to the development of cricket stadiums in various parts of the country. This article will discuss how many cricket stadiums are in the United States, which ones they are, and what kind of events they host. Read on to discover more about cricket stadiums in America!
At present, there are at least two international-level cricket stadiums in the United States, with plans to expand the number up to five to ten in the near future.
These include:
Central Broward Regional Park Stadium Turf Ground in Lauderhill, Florida (10000 seating capacity, ICC status for ODI & T20 cricket)
Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina (3500 permanent seating with potential expansion to 5000 seats)
AirHogs Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas (7000 seating capacity with a potential expansion to 20000 seats)
Smart Choice Moosa Stadium in Pearland, Texas (near Houston)
Indianapolis World Sports Park in Indianapolis, Indiana
Leo Magnus Cricket Complex, ‘Woodley’ Park in Los Angeles, California
Each of these stadiums has its own unique history and features that make it an exciting place to watch cricket. Most of them host domestic and international matches, as well as tournaments and development programs for the sport itself.
Upcoming Cricket Stadiums in the USA
Apart from existing cricket stadiums, there are also four upcoming venues in plan — each with varying seating capacities and location.
Marymoor Park in Redmond, Washington
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds in San Jose, California
An upcoming proposed stadium in Orange County, California
New York Oval. in New York
Marine Park in Brooklyn, Spring Creek Park in Queens, or Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens (Shortlisted locations for a possible major cricket stadium in the New York area)
It is expected that the stadiums in the Bay Area and Washington may each seat around 10,000-20,000 spectators with a cost of $30 million combined.
Historic & Smaller Cricket Grounds in the United States
Apart from the major stadiums, there are also numerous smaller cricket grounds in the United States. These grounds have been used by Minor League clubs and other clubs for generations as well as hosting various tournaments over time.
Philadelphia Cricket Club Ground in Wissahickon Heights, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Belmont Cricket Club Ground in Elmwood, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Young America Cricket Club Ground in Stenton, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Germantown Cricket Club Ground in Manheim, Pennsylvania (earlier in Nicetown)
Merion Cricket Club Ground in Haverford, Pennsylvania
Boca Raton Cricket Club Ground in Boca Raton, Florida
Brian Piccolo Park in Cooper City, Fort Lauderdale, Florida
St. George’s Club Ground in Bloomingdale Road, Manhattan, New York
Red House Cricket Ground in Harlem, New York
*Citi Field in New York
*Minute Maid Park in Houston, Texas
*Dodger Stadium in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California
*Note, the Cricket All-Stars tournament featuring Shane Warne, Sachin Tendulkar, Shoaib Akthar, etc. took place at famous baseball grounds—Citi Field, Minute Maid Park, and Dodger Stadium.
Minor League Cricket is a new franchised cricket league in the United States, which was founded in 2019. It currently has 26 teams, most of which have their own home cricket parks.
Handy line up 🏏
World Cup winner Former fastest 100 world record holder U19 World Cup winner and captain USA first IPL player S&C coach 🤣
I am very fortunate and grateful at the same time that I get coach and support all the players.
Established in 2007, the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill is the biggest cricket stadium in the United States. It has two pitches and offers seating for up to 10,000 fans. Every Spring it hosts the American college cricket tournament and is also home to the Ft. Lauderdale Lions of Minor League Cricket.
The Moosa Stadium in Pearland, Texas was established in 2015 and is a rising cricket stadium. It provides seating for up to 2,500 fans with the potential for further expansion. It is the home of Lone Star Athletics.
The AirHogs Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas is a professional baseball stadium that has been transformed into a cricket ground. It offers seating for up to 7,000 spectators and has the potential for further expansions. This ground has become quite popular with local cricket enthusiasts.
The Indianapolis World Sports Park was built with an investment of $5 million and it hosted the 2015 ICC T20 World Cup Americas Division One qualification tournament.
The Leo Magnus Woodley Park is a sporting complex established in 1978 and named after Jamaican cricketer, Leo Magnus. It comprises five cricket fields (Marder, Severn, Wong, Woodley and Wright) and is home to the Hollywood Master Blasters and Socal Lashings of Minor League Cricket. Historically, it was the home of the Hollywood Cricket Club.
Founded in 1854, Philadelphia Cricket Club Ground is the oldest cricket club in the USA, while Germantown Cricket Club is the second oldest surviving cricket club in the United States. The Belmont Cricket Club (1874-1914), home to one of America’s greatest cricketers, Bart King, was one of the great clubs in American cricket.
The stadiums listed above host a variety of events for both spectators and players.
These include domestic and international matches, tournaments, camps and academies to help with cricket development in the US. The following is a list of some of the events hosted at US cricket stadiums:
International Matches & CPL
A total of 27 ODI matches (12 Moosa, 15 Ft. Lauderhill) and 14 T20I matches (all Ft. Lauderhill) international matches have been hosted by the US.
New Zeland, Sri Lanka, India, West Indies, Bangladesh, Ireland, Papua New Guinea, Scotland, Nepal, Oman, Namibia, and the USA have all played here. Ft. Lauderhill has been used as one of West Indies’ home venue in bilateral series.
Minor League Cricket began in 2020 as the precursor to Major League Cricket, USA’s much anticipated T20 franchise competition. 27 teams took place in the inaugural tournament with Silicon Valley Strikers emerging as the winner.
National Championships and Other tournaments
These tournaments are organized by US cricket associations and involve women’s, men’s, U-19, and other teams from different states across the country.
Apart from major leagues, regional club tournaments, tape ball cricket, and college cricket also occur on a regular basis.
4. Major League Cricket and 2024 T20 World Cup to Take Place Across USA’s Top Cricket Stadiums
In 2023, Major League Cricket (MLC) is set to take place between July 13th and 30th.
The Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas is the main location with franchises from Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and Washington D.C. The following year in 2024, the 20-team T20 World Cup will be jointly hosted by the United States and West Indies.
5. Conclusion – The Growing Popularity of Cricket in America
Cricket is quickly gaining popularity in the United States, with more people becoming aware of and involved in the game.
The US Cricket Association has advocated for the expansion of cricket in America, resulting in cricket stadiums located across the country, academies and clubs to help players hone their skills.
Stadiums such as Church Street Park & Moosa Stadium are paving the way for even more growth. The upcoming 2024 T20 World Cup and Major League Cricket will bring even more attention to the sport, and with continued growth, cricket will become an increasingly popular sport in America.
Maybe the future even holds a partnership with Minor League Baseball stadiums similar to the conversion of the Texas Airhogs stadium.
5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – Cricket Stadiums in USA
How many cricket stadiums in the USA?
Currently, there are at least 33 cricket stadiums in the USA. Two stadiums are ICC certified, 5 are in the planning phase, while the rest are park and local grounds.
Which cricket stadiums will host the 2023 Major League Cricket?
The Airhogs stadium in Dallas, Texas will be the host of the inaugural Major League Cricket held between July 13-30.
How many teams participate in Minor League Cricket in the USA?
26 teams compete in Minor League Cricket (MiLC) in the United States.
How many teams will compete in the 2023 Major League Cricket in the USA?
Six franchises from from Dallas, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, New York City, and Washington D.C. will compete in the 2023 Major League Cricket (MLC).
