Washington Freedom (cricket)
![]() | ||
League | Major League Cricket | |
---|---|---|
Personnel | ||
Captain | Steve Smith | |
Coach | Ricky Ponting | |
Owner | Sanjay Govil[1] | |
Team information | ||
City | Washington, D.C., United States | |
Colours | Red, White, and Blue | |
Founded | 2023 | |
History | ||
Major League Cricket wins | 1 (2024) | |
Official website | washingtonfreedom.com | |
|
The Washington Freedom are an American professional Twenty20 cricket team that competes in Major League Cricket (MLC).[2] The team plans to be based in Washington, D.C. and was announced in 2023 as one of six inaugural franchises to play in Major League Cricket.[3] The Freedom is owned by Indian American entrepreneur Sanjay Govil.[1] The team is coached by Ricky Ponting and is captained by Steve Smith.[4][5]
History
[edit]Background
[edit]In May 2022, Major League Cricket announced that it had secured $120 million from various investors across the United States.[6] One of these investors was Sanjay Govil, who was later announced to be the lead investor and owner of the Washington DC-based franchise team.[7] Alongside MLC, Govil partnered up with George Mason University to launch a feasibility study into a 12,000-seat hybrid cricket/baseball stadium later that year in December.[8][9] The proposed stadium would host both cricket and baseball games and support up to 12,000 spectators upon its completion in summer 2025.[10][11] George Mason University announced in March 2024 that it would not proceed with the stadium.[12]
In February 2023, Major League Cricket announced that Govil had entered a partnership with Cricket New South Wales to help accelerate the growth of the DC-based franchise.[13] The agreement included initiatives to further player development opportunities, as well as cricket content, within the U.S., an exchange program of coaches and support staff, and opportunities for NSW-based players to play in MLC.[14] Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon stated that "... he [Govil] was very keen to not have an IPL partner... [and wanted to] partner with someone outside who could really bring what we wanted to the table."[15]
In March 2023, the team's name, the Washington Freedom, and logo were officially revealed to the public.[16] Upon the unveiling of the team name and logo, Govil said that, "the team's mark and colors are a perfect for a team from the nation's capital to compete on the global stage."[17]
2023 season
[edit]The Freedom had the second overall pick of the MLC's inaugural domestic draft and selected Thunderbolts vice-captain Andries Gous as their first draft pick.[18] Dane Piedt, Mukhtar Ahmed, and Saad Ali were also all picked up by the team, with Sri Lanka international Wanindu Hasaranga (who later pulled out of the competition) and South African quick Anrich Nortje both being announced as direct signings during the draft.[19][20] Marco Jansen, Glenn Phillips, and Adam Milne were all also announced as direct signings in May.[21][22] The team then later announced it would be led by Sixers captain Moises Henriques.[23] Shortly after, they announced that they had appointed Greg Shipperd as their head coach and Dale Steyn as their bowling coach.[24] Later the following month, they announced Josh Philippe, Ben Dwarshuis, and Akeal Hosein all as additional direct signings.[25][26] Tanveer Sangha was signed in the days leading up to the tournament as a replacement for Hasaranga, while Matthew Short was added to the squad as an injury replacement for Josh Philippe.
Freedom's season started with a narrow defeat against Seattle Orcas, before they bounced back in the second fixture against Texas Super Kings, winning by six runs thanks to a fantastic all-round bowling display that backed up 80 off 50 balls from Matt Short.
Two more wins would follow against LA Knight Riders and San Francisco Unicorns, before a defeat at the hands of MI New York would see Freedom forced to settle for a place in the third v fourth Eliminator fixture in Finals week. The highlight of Freedom's group stage campaign came against the Unicorns, where Saurabh Netravalkar starred with an outstanding bowling performance, claiming 6-9 as Freedom successfully defended 133.
2024 season
[edit]In December 2023, it was announced that the second season of the tournament would begin on July 4, 2024, four days after the conclusion of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup.[27]
On February 15, 2024, the retained overseas players' Akeal Hosein and Marco Jansen Retained. On March 1, 2024, the domestic player retention list was announced. Andries Gous Obus Pienaar, Mukhtar Ahmed, Saurabh Netravalkar, Justin Dill, Akhilesh Bodugum.[28]
The domestic players' draft was virtually held on March 21, 2024, with a total of 20 players being picked by the teams over 10 rounds.[29] An additional draft is scheduled for June 16 in order for teams to complete their squads.[30]
Ian Holland, Amila Aponso, Lahiru Milantha and Yasir Mohammad were prominent names picked in the domestic round of the draft.[31]
The following players were directly signed by teams ahead of the 2024 season. Rachin Ravindra, Steve Smith, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson, Andrew Tye and Jack Edwards was also announced as another overseas signing by the Freedom.[32]
During the 2024 campaign, the Freedom went top of the table by recording a 4 runs win over the MI New York, a no-result with the Texas Super Kings, a 5-wicket win over the Seattle Orcas, an 8-wicket win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders, a 94 runs win over the MI New York, and a 42 runs win over the Texas Super Kings. However, the Freedom's unbeaten streak was snapped with a 6-wicket defeat to the San Francisco Unicorns in the last game of the regular season. Their 5-1-1 record earned the Freedom a first-place finish going into the playoffs.
Current squad
[edit]- Players with international caps are listed in bold.
Position | Name | Nationality | Date of Birth (age) | Batting style | Bowling style | Year signed | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Batters | Steve Smith | ![]() |
June 2, 1989 | Right-handed | Right-arm leg spin | 2024 | Direct signing |
Travis Head | ![]() |
December 29, 1993 | Left-handed | Right-arm-off spin | 2024 | Direct signing | |
Jack Edwards | ![]() |
19 April 2000 | Right-handed | — | 2024 | Direct signing | |
Mukhtar Ahmed | ![]() |
December 20, 1992 | Right-handed | Right-arm leg break googly | 2023 | ||
All-rounders | Obus Pienaar | ![]() |
December 12, 1989 | Right-handed | Left-arm off spin | 2023 | |
Justin Dill | ![]() |
November 10, 1994 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium fast | 2023 | ||
Marco Jansen | ![]() |
May 1, 2000 | Right-handed | Left-arm fast medium | 2023 | Direct signing | |
Ian Holland | ![]() |
October 3, 1990 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium | 2024 | ||
Glenn Maxwell | ![]() |
October 14, 1988 | Right-handed | Right-arm off break | 2024 | Direct signing | |
Rachin Ravindra | ![]() |
November 18, 1999 | Left-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2024 | Direct signing | |
Wicket-keepers | Andries Gous | ![]() |
November 24, 1993 | Right-handed | 2023 | ||
Lahiru Milantha | ![]() |
May 28, 1994 | Left-handed | 2024 | |||
Bowlers | Saurabh Netravalkar | ![]() |
October 16, 1991 | Right-handed | Left-arm medium fast | 2023 | |
Akhilesh Bodugum | ![]() |
April 28, 2000 | Right-handed | Right-arm off spin | 2023 | U23 player | |
Akeal Hosein | ![]() |
April 25, 1993 | Left-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2023 | Direct signing | |
Amila Aponso | ![]() |
June 23, 1993 | Right-handed | Slow left-arm orthodox | 2024 | ||
Yasir Mohammad | ![]() |
October 10, 2002 | Left-handed | Legbreak Googly | 2024 | ||
Lockie Ferguson | ![]() |
June 13, 1991 | Right-handed | Right-arm fast | 2024 | Direct signing | |
Andrew Tye | ![]() |
December 12, 1986 | Right-handed | Right-arm medium fast | 2024 | Direct signing |
Administration and support staff
[edit]Position | Name |
---|---|
Head coach | Ricky Ponting |
General Manager | Michael Klinger |
Bowling coach | Dale Steyn |
Assistant coach |
Coaching history
[edit]Name | Season | Change | Role |
---|---|---|---|
Greg Shipperd[33] | 2023 | Resigned | Head Coach |
Ricky Ponting[34] | 2024 | Appointed | Head Coach |
Seasons
[edit]Seasons
[edit]Year | League standing | Final standing |
---|---|---|
2023 | 3rd out of 6 | Semifinals |
2024 | 1st out of 6 | Champions |
- C: champions
- RU: runner-up
- SF team qualified for the semi-final stage of the competition
Season summary
[edit]Year | Played | Wins | Losses | Tied/NR |
---|---|---|---|---|
2023 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Source: ESPNCricinfo[35] |
Note:
- NR indicates No result.
- Abandoned matches are indicated as no result.
References
[edit]- ^ a b Kumar, Arun (March 20, 2023). "Sanjay Govil brings professional cricket to Washington". The American Bazaar. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Lyons, Ivy. "Washington Freedom is DC's new Major League Cricket team". WTOP. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Kenny, Katie (March 15, 2023). "Say Hello to DC's New Major League Cricket Team, the Washington Freedom". Washingtonian. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "Ponting confirmed as Washington Freedom head coach in Major League Cricket". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 2024-02-06.
- ^ Seeley, David (June 13, 2023). "Major League Cricket Announces 2023 Season Schedule With First Ever Match in Grand Prairie July 13". Dallas Innovates. Retrieved June 19, 2023.
- ^ Schlosser, Kurt (May 18, 2022). "Major League Cricket secures $120M funding from Microsoft CEO and others to launch in U.S." GeekWire. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Patel, Smit (December 7, 2022). "MLC to adopt reformist approach to build new stadium in Washington DC". Cricbuzz. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Hays, Nate (December 1, 2022). "MLC and George Mason University announce feasibility study for DC area stadium". Emerging Cricket. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Martz, Michael (December 30, 2022). "George Mason steps up to bat with potential cricket, baseball stadium". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Bird, Jensen (November 30, 2022). "George Mason University, Major League Cricket partner up for cricket and baseball facility". WJLA. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Woolsey, Angela (February 27, 2023). "Potential GMU cricket facility has county board intrigued but cautious". FFXnow. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/gmu-cricket-stadium-proposal-scrapped/3579208/
- ^ McGlashan, Andrew (February 17, 2023). "Coming to America: New South Wales signs deal with Major League Cricket". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ "Cricket NSW partners with America in new T20 league". AAP. Cricket Australia. February 17, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
- ^ Lavalette, Tristan (March 11, 2023). "How America's New Pro T20 Cricket League Can Lure Top Australian Players". Forbes. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ Singh, Shubham (March 19, 2023). "Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, GMR Group secure rights for a team in US' T20 franchise Major League Cricket". Business Today. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ "Washington Freedom chosen as name for DC's professional cricket team". Fox 5 DC. March 15, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ Peter Della Penna (March 20, 2023). "Harmeet Singh goes first in MLC Draft to Seattle Orcas; Ali Khan and Unmukt Chand snapped by LA Knight Riders". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ Kasari, Kingshuk (March 20, 2023). "Finch, Hasaranga highlight MLC Draft". India Today. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ "From India to the USA: Five IPL 2023 stars set to light up Major League Cricket". Wisden. April 17, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
- ^ "Marco Jansen joins Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, USA". ClubCricketSA. May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ Mathur, Nitesh (May 23, 2023). "11 Overseas Cricketers in Major League Cricket (MLC) in USA: Aaron Finch, Quinton de Kock… Can You Guess the Rest?". Broken Cricket Dreams. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
- ^ Paynter, Jack (May 28, 2023). "Zampa, Wade, Henriques add to MLC's Aussie influx". Cricket Australia. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ Patel, Smit (May 31, 2023). "Dale Steyn appointed bowling coach of Washington Freedom". Cricbuzz. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
- ^ ANI (May 28, 2023). "Australian trio Matthew Wade, Moises Henriques, Adam Zampa to feature in Major League Cricket". ThePrint. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ Johnson, Kristen (June 16, 2023). "Major League Cricket is coming to Morrisville. How to go to the games this summer". The News & Observer. Retrieved June 18, 2023.
- ^ "MLC 2024 set for July 4 start". Cricbuzz. 16 December 2023. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
- ^ "INTERNATIONAL T20 SUPERSTARS RETURNING FOR MLC SEASON TWO". Major League Cricket. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ "2024 MLC Domestic Draft Results". Major League Cricket. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Sagar, Singh (21 March 2024). "MLC Domestic Draft: Hassan Khan, Joshua Tromp draw top dollars. Smit Patel unsold". Cricbuzz. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ "2024 MLC Domestic Draft Results". Major League Cricket. 22 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
- ^ Sagar, Singh (21 March 2024). "Texas Super Kings snap up Mitchell for MLC 2024, Shepherd goes to MI New York". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved 21 March 2024.
- ^ washingtonfreedom_admin (2024-02-06). "Cricket great Ricky Ponting appointed head coach of Washington Freedom". Washington Freedom. Retrieved 2024-06-01.
- ^ "Ricky Ponting in the USA: Australia great named Washington Freedom coach in Major League Cricket". India Today. 7 February 2024. Retrieved 16 February 2024.
- ^ "Major league Cricket Points Table". ESPNCricinfo. February 6, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.