Steven Smith joins Washington Freedom ahead of Major League Cricket’s second season

Before the second season of the competition kicks off on July 4, Steven Smith’s agreement with the Major League Cricket (MLC) Washington Freedom team has been officially verified. Since Smith had signed on to represent Freedom as a brand ambassador last year and there was a clear window of opportunity for him to play through July due to Australia’s international schedule, the move had been much anticipated.

Smith’s home team in Australia, New South Wales (NSW), enjoys a high-performance relationship with Freedom; but, in February, NSW coach Greg Shipperd was replaced by Ricky Ponting.

In a video that was shared on the Washington Freedom’s social media pages, Smith declared, “I’m really excited about joining the Washington Freedom for season two of the MLC.” “I’m excited to get to know my new teammates and perform for some amazing American audiences. Additionally, I’m eager to collaborate with Ricky Ponting and his incredible team once more.”

The New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra has signed with Freedom, the team just announced. Marco Jansen and Akeal Hosein, two foreign players from the 2023 campaign, were kept on.

Smith previously stated it would be “pretty cool” to perform in the United States. Smith owns an apartment in New York.

Though he hasn’t been able to play much T20 cricket lately, he will have to compete for a spot in Australia’s final 15-man team for the T20 World Cup in June. Smith has played two T20Is in India, two matches in the previous season’s BBL, and as many games against New Zealand in February, where he hit 11 and 4 while opening the batting, since his spectacular return to the BBL for Sydney Sixers in the 2022–2023 season, where he made 346 runs with a strike rate of 174.74.

However, following the New Zealand series, he indicated he felt at ease with the outcome of the T20 World Cup selection process, which requires Australia to announce their initial squad by May 1.

When the 2024 schedule is revealed, Hundred faces an MLC match.
“To be honest, I believe they’re pretty settled up top, with [Mitchell Marsh], [David] Warner, and Travis Head in the top three,” he had told AAP. It’s unclear to me what the electorate wants to accomplish. Either way, I’m not really all that concerned. If I am present, I am present; if not, I am not present.”

Smith is the fourth confirmed Australian signing for the second season of MLC, following Adam Zampa (Los Angeles Knight Riders), Spencer Johnson (Knight Riders), and Tim David (MI New York). More signings are anticipated for the competition, which begins immediately following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies on June 29.