Australian ODI captain in San Francisco Unicorns

Pat Cummins, the Australian Test and ODI captain, has made a significant move by signing a four-year contract with the San Francisco Unicorns in the Major League Cricket (MLC) T20 competition in the United States. His decision marks a notable development for cricket in America, with Cummins joining compatriot Jake Fraser-McGurk at the Unicorns.

The move comes ahead of the second season of MLC, commencing on July 5, shortly after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup. Cummins joins a growing list of Australian players, including Glenn Maxwell, Travis Head, and Steve Smith, who have also committed to the league.

In a statement, Cummins highlighted the rapid development of MLC and the vast potential of the US cricket market. He expressed his excitement about the unique opportunity presented by the Unicorns and the broader Silicon Valley landscape, offering prospects beyond cricket.

The San Francisco Unicorns, co-owned by Silicon Valley entrepreneurs Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, have attracted Cummins with their vision and long-term aspirations for the league.

With Cummins' stature as one of cricket's premier players across formats, his involvement adds significant credibility to MLC, which recently earned List A status from the International Cricket Council. This recognition elevates MLC to the status of other prestigious T20 leagues like the Indian Premier League.

MLC organisers have ambitious plans to expand the league from six to ten teams in the coming years, reflecting their commitment to growing cricket's footprint in the United States. Cummins' decision to join the San Francisco Unicorns underscores the increasing global appeal and potential of cricket beyond its traditional strongholds.