For Major League Cricket’s (MLC) second season, Glenn Maxwell, Steve Smith, and Travis Head are expected to form a formidable core for the redesigned Washington Freedom. With the announcement last month of Ricky Ponting taking over as head coach, the Freedom were anticipated to add some Australian flavour to their combination. Rachin Ravindra, a versatile player from New Zealand, will be featured more on the revamped side, after Freedom made some significant adjustments. The only international hires who have been kept before the second season are Marco Jansen and Akeal Hossein.
Despite playing for Australia in their most recent Twenty20 International match against New Zealand in February, Smith, 34, wasn’t afraid to acknowledge that he wasn’t’really sure’ of what the Australian selectors thought about his place in the T20 World Cup. Even though Smith’s T20I stock may be declining, Freedom will definitely take advantage of his leadership skills and tactical acumen given that former captain Moises Henriques isn’t on the retainee list.
Freedom would like Head to continue wearing his purple patch, which he earned with a scorching century against India in the World Cup championship. The 31-year-old’s fireworks have lit up the IPL, as evidenced by his incredible 39-ball century against the RCB last week. After dropping out of the XI, Maxwell’s lean patch places him at the other extreme of the spectrum in the IPL. Maxwell, a white ball guarantee for Australia, has already started a four-month T20 journey that will end in The Hundred in August.
With the addition of former Pakistani international Mukhtar Ahmed, Andries Gous, Justin Dill, former USA captain Saurabh Netravalkar, Akhilesh Bodugum, and Obus Pienaar, Freedom possesses a strong domestic lineup. By selecting Lahiru Milantha, Ian Holland, Yasir Mohammad, and former left arm spinner Amila Aponso in the domestic draft, they strengthened their team even further.
We extend a hearty welcome to all members of the Washington Freedom family and feel privileged to be affiliated with them. They should be really proud of themselves for having chosen to join the MLC. All of the MLC clubs will work together to provide the greatest merchandise for our supporters, according to Sanjay Govil, owner of the Washington Freedom.
