Cricket

Steve Smith, the veteran Australian batter, has expressed his desire to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL) next year after leading Washington Freedom to their first Major League Cricket (MLC) title. At 35, Smith has not played in the IPL since 2021, having gone unsold in the last two auctions.Despite being overlooked for the T20 World Cup and the upcoming tours of Scotland and England, Smith remains optimistic about his chances of making a comeback in the IPL. "I'd certainly love another opportunity at IPL. I'll be throwing my name in the ring, and we'll see how we go," Smith said.Smith's standout performance in the MLC came in the final against the San Francisco Unicorns, where he scored an 88 off 52 balls against bowlers like Australian captain Pat Cummins and Pakistan's Haris Rauf. His effort earned him the player-of-the-match award in the final.Smith's return to form in the MLC has raised questions about his omission from the Australian T20I team. However, Smith understands the team's decision to focus on younger players. "In terms of international T20s, I don't know what's going on there," Smith said. "They've obviously got some people they want to bring in, and that's fine."Despite the setbacks, Smith remains focused on improving his game. "I'll just go about my business, keep trying to improve and get better," he said.Smith also expressed interest in representing Australia at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where cricket will make its debut. "That's still a while away as well, so we'll wait and see. Never say never," Smith said.

The Major League Cricket (MLC) Eliminator match between Texas Super Kings and defending champions MI New York promises to be a thrilling encounter. Both teams have a lot to prove, with Texas Super Kings seeking revenge for their defeat in the Challenger game of the inaugural season in 2023.Form-wise, the Super Kings have been more impressive than MI New York, boasting three wins, two losses, and two no results. One of their victories came against MI New York, where Rashid Khan's exceptional performance gave them hope, but they ultimately fell short by 15 runs.MI New York, on the other hand, managed to sneak into the final four stage just before the door shut on them. They will be looking to approach the business end of MLC 2024 with renewed confidence as they head into the Eliminator.The Texas Super Kings will be determined to make amends for their previous defeat against MI New York. They have a strong team led by experienced players like David Warner and Dwayne Bravo. Warner has been in excellent form this season, scoring 250 runs in six matches, while Bravo has taken 10 wickets.MI New York will rely on their star-studded lineup, which includes Kieron Pollard, Andre Russell, and Suryakumar Yadav. Pollard has been a key player for MI New York, scoring 200 runs and taking 12 wickets in the tournament. Russell and Yadav have also made significant contributions with the bat.The match is expected to be a close contest, with both teams having their strengths and weaknesses. Texas Super Kings will be looking to capitalize on their momentum and home advantage, while MI New York will be hoping to prove that they are still the team to beat.

Major League Cricket: Carmi le Roux Suffers Head Injury in Scary IncidentThe Major League Cricket (MLC) witnessed a chilling moment as San Francisco Unicorns fast-bowler Carmi le Roux was struck on the head by a powerful shot from Seattle Orcas batter Ryan Rickleton.During the second over of the match, Rickleton's shot caught le Roux off guard, slamming into his head with immense force. The impact left le Roux's face bloodied, but thankfully, he remained conscious and walked off the field without assistance.Medical staff rushed onto the ground, but to everyone's relief, le Roux was able to walk off on his own. Former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson completed the over for the Unicorns.Despite missing le Roux, the Unicorns managed to restrict the Orcas to 142 runs, defending their total of 165. Former England pacer Liam Plunkett was the standout bowler, claiming 3/26 in four overs.The incident highlights the inherent risks associated with fast bowling in cricket. Le Roux's injury serves as a reminder of the importance of wearing protective gear and maintaining situational awareness on the field.The Seattle Orcas have endured a disappointing start to the MLC season, suffering two consecutive defeats. They currently sit at the bottom of the table, a stark contrast to their impressive performance last season when they topped the standings.The tournament, which commenced on July 5, 2024, will culminate in the final on July 28. Defending champions MI New York are also struggling, sitting outside the playoff spots.

Carmi le Roux Suffers Head Injury in Major League Cricket MatchCarmi le Roux, a bowler for the San Francisco Unicorns, sustained a severe head injury during a Major League Cricket (MLC) match against the Seattle Orcas on Wednesday. The incident occurred at Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina, during the third over of the second innings.Le Roux was bowling to Orcas batsman Ryan Rickleton when he delivered a full ball just outside the off-stump. Rickleton struck the ball powerfully straight back towards the bowler, who did not have time to react. The ball hit Le Roux in the head, causing him to bleed profusely.The on-field umpire immediately called for medical assistance, and Le Roux was taken off the field. Corey Anderson completed the over in his place.The extent of Le Roux's injury is still unknown, as no official statement has been released by the Unicorns franchise. However, the incident highlights the dangers of cricket, a sport where bowlers often face high-speed deliveries from batsmen.Head injuries are a serious concern in cricket, and players must take all necessary precautions to protect themselves. This includes wearing helmets and using proper bowling techniques.The MLC is a new professional cricket league in the United States, and it is hoped that the league will help to raise the profile of the sport in the country. However, the incident involving Le Roux serves as a reminder that cricket can be a dangerous game.

Washington Freedom Triumphs Over Los Angeles Knight Riders in MLC EncounterWashington Freedom extended their winning streak to three consecutive matches in the 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) after defeating Los Angeles Knight Riders by eight wickets on Sunday.Opting to field first, Washington's bowlers put on a dominant display, restricting Los Angeles to a modest total of 129. Saurabh Netravalkar and Glenn Maxwell were the stars of the show, claiming four and three wickets respectively.In response, Washington's openers, Travis Head and Steve Smith, forged a formidable partnership, amassing 79 runs before Head was dismissed for 54. Smith remained unbeaten on 42, guiding his team to victory in just 16 overs.The match witnessed a bizarre incident in the second over of Washington's chase. Andre Russell's fiery short-pitched delivery shattered Head's bat, sending the upper half flying towards mid-wicket. Head's shocked reaction became an instant viral sensation on social media.Washington's dominance continued throughout the run chase. Head and Smith provided an explosive start, with Head reaching his half-century in just 27 balls. After Head's dismissal, Rachin Ravindra and Andries Gous contributed valuable runs, ensuring a comfortable victory for Washington.Earlier, Netravalkar and Maxwell's exceptional bowling performances had laid the foundation for Washington's success. Netravalkar's four wickets for 35 runs and Maxwell's three wickets for 15 runs kept Los Angeles' batters in check.Washington will now face MI New York in their next MLC match on Tuesday in Dallas, while Los Angeles will take on Seattle Orcas on Wednesday in Morrisville.

The fifth match of the 2024 Major League Cricket season between Washington Freedom and Texas Super Kings at Church Street Park in Morrisville on Tuesday was called off due to rain. Washington, in pursuit of a challenging 204-run target, had reached 62 for 0 in just 4 overs with Travis Head and Steve Smith looking formidable at the crease before the downpour paused their innings.Travis Head had scored 32 runs off 12 balls, and Steve Smith was close behind with 26 runs off 12 balls when the rain interruption occurred. Despite nearly an hour-long wait for the weather to clear, match officials eventually called off the game, resulting in both teams sharing a point each from the rain-affected match.This encounter was notable as it marked the first time any team had surpassed 200 runs this season and also the first occurrence of the 200-run total at Church Street Park.Earlier, Texas Super Kings, led by skipper Faf du Plessis, set a formidable total of 203 for 5 in their 20 overs. Du Plessis scored a brilliant century off 58 balls, leading his team from the front. Devon Conway provided crucial support, amassing 39 runs off 26 balls, and together they built a 109-run partnership for the opening wicket.Du Plessis was relentless against any loose deliveries, consistently punishing the Washington bowlers throughout his innings. Marcus Stoinis, despite nursing an injured right hand, contributed a vital 29 runs off 18 balls.The Washington Freedom's bowling and fielding were subpar, with several dropped catches and missed opportunities that allowed the Texas Super Kings to amass their substantial total.While the rain ultimately denied what could have been an exciting finish, both teams will aim to build on their performances as the Major League Cricket season progresses.

Unmukt Chand, the former captain of India's U19 World Cup-winning team, has faced a rollercoaster of a career since his triumph. Despite switching to US citizenship, Chand was surprisingly omitted from the USA squad that stunned the world by reaching the Super 8 of the 2024 T20 World Cup.Undeterred, the 31-year-old Chand is determined to prove his worth. He kicked off the second season of Major League Cricket (MLC), USA's franchise T20 league, with a scintillating half-century for the Los Angeles Knight Riders (LAKR).Ironically, LAKR is owned by the Knight Riders group, the same franchise that marked the beginning of Chand's downfall when he was famously clean bowled by Kolkata Knight Riders pacer Brett Lee in the opening ball of IPL 2013.After finishing at the bottom of the table in the inaugural season of MLC, LAKR needed a strong start to MLC 2024. Chand, batting at number 3, took charge in the opening match against Texas Super Kings after openers Jason Roy and Sunil Narine were dismissed cheaply.Chand's blistering knock of 68 off 45 balls, including six fours and three sixes, was the cornerstone of LAKR's respectable total of 162/7. No other batter in the LAKR lineup crossed 30, highlighting Chand's crucial contribution.Despite the presence of star names like David Miller and Andre Russell, Texas Super Kings fell short by 12 runs. USA pacer Ali Khan played a pivotal role, dismantling the TSK middle order with three wickets in quick succession.Chand's performance is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite setbacks, he remains a force to be reckoned with. LAKR will look to build on their strong start when they face San Francisco Unicorns on July 8.

Bangladesh's veteran all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan has expressed uncertainty about his participation in the upcoming tour of India later this year. The tour, scheduled from September 19 to October 12, will feature two Tests and three T20Is.Shakib's hesitation stems from his busy schedule, which includes the 2024 Men's T20 World Cup and the Major League Cricket (MLC) season two in the USA. He is set to play for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the MLC, which begins on July 5."I don't have many plans. There are two T20 tournaments in front of me. One is MLC and the other one is the Global T20 League in Canada, and let me see where I stand after playing these two tournaments because I need to understand (how I feel)," Shakib said."There is international cricket and there is a series against Pakistan and I am planning till that point of time and not planning beyond that. Now I don't have time to plan for three-four years and so planning for three to six months is better, and later I will think about my next plan. For now, I am planning till the Pakistan series," he added.Shakib also addressed the controversy surrounding fast-bowler Taskin Ahmed's absence from the Super Eights clash against India at the Sir Vivian Richards Stadium in Antigua. Taskin had initially claimed that he missed the team bus, but later clarified that he had arrived on time."Taskin apologized to the team for that afterwards and everyone in the team took it normally because a man can mistake and anyone can commit unintentional mistake. He accepted it and the thing ended at that point of time," Shakib said.Bangladesh's tour of India will be their first since 2019. The two teams last met in a T20I series in November 2022, which India won 2-1.

The United States Cricket team's remarkable journey to the Super 8 stage of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 has ignited a surge of support for the national side among Americans. The Major League Cricket (MLC), a US-based T20 league, has lauded the team's achievement, highlighting the contributions of its players who are also members of MLC teams.Team USA's impressive run began with a resounding victory over Canada in their opening match. They then emerged victorious in a thrilling super-over encounter against Pakistan, securing their position as runners-up in Group A of the main event. Their fortune continued when their match against Ireland was canceled due to weather conditions.The team's success has been attributed to the presence of several MLC players, including Ali Khan, Nitish Kumar, Shadley Van Schalkwyk, Steven Taylor, Nosthush Kenjige, Monank Patel, Shayan Jahangir, Corey Anderson, Harmeet Singh, Milind Kumar, Andries Gous, Saurabh Netravalkar, and Yasir Mohammad.Vijay Srinivasan, CEO of Cognizant Major League Cricket, expressed his elation at the team's advancement to the next round. "This is a historic moment for the sport, especially for our players from Major League Cricket who are representing the USA," he said. "We hope this inspires boys and girls around the country to pick up a bat and ball this summer."Srinivasan also emphasized the significance of Team USA's qualification for the 2026 ICC Men's T20 World Cup, which will provide MLC with a platform for continued growth.The MLC, which features six teams—the Los Angeles Knight Riders, MI New York, San Francisco Unicorns, Seattle Orcas, Texas Super Kings, and Washington Freedom—boasts some of the world's top domestic and international players. These players are eager to represent their nations in the World Cup.The inaugural 2023 MLC season was a resounding success, with sold-out matches attracting millions of viewers worldwide. This momentum is expected to continue with the upcoming T20 World Cup and the MLC's second season, which kicks off on July 5.