NEW DELHI: Australian cricket star Travis Head is set to team up with compatriot Steven Smith at the Washington Freedom for the upcoming edition of Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2024.
Scheduled to commence on July 4, following the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, MLC will witness Head's decision to continue playing cricket rather than opting for rest after the marquee event.
With Australia's international schedule featuring a hiatus until September's white-ball tour of England, Head seized the opportunity to participate in MLC.
Currently representing Sunrisers Hyderabad in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, Head has showcased his prowess in four matches, accumulating 133 runs at an impressive average of 33.25 and a striking rate of 172.73.
Following Australia's victorious campaign in the T20 World Cup, Head made the decision to forego participation in the home white-ball series against the West Indies in February.
Joining forces with former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who recently assumed the role of Washington Freedom's new coach, Head and Smith will bolster the franchise's lineup.
Smith, serving as a brand ambassador for Freedom since last year, aligns with the team's high-performance agreement with his local Australian team, New South Wales (NSW).
In addition to Head and Smith, Washington Freedom recently unveiled the signing of New Zealand all-rounder Rachin Ravindra and retained overseas players Marco Jansen and Akeal Hosein from the previous season.
The influx of Australian talent in MLC's second season extends beyond Head and Smith, with notable figures like Adam Zampa (Los Angeles Knight Riders), Spencer Johnson (Knight Riders), and Tim David (MI New York) set to feature, adding further excitement to the upcoming competition.
(With inputs from ANI)
