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Washington Freedom (cricket)

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Washington Freedom
LeagueMajor League Cricket
Personnel
CaptainSteve Smith
CoachRicky Ponting
OwnerSanjay Govil[1]
Team information
CityWashington, D.C., United States (planned)
ColoursRed, White, and Blue
     
Founded2023; 1 year ago (2023)
History
Major League Cricket wins1 (2024)
Official websitewashingtonfreedom.com

T20 kit

The Washington Freedom are an American professional Twenty20 cricket team based in Washington, D.C. that competes in Major League Cricket (MLC).[2] The team was announced in 2023 as one of six inaugural franchises to play in the league.[3] The Freedom are owned by Indian American entrepreneur Sanjay Govil.[1] The team is coached by Ricky Ponting and is captained by Steve Smith.[4][5]

History

Background

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

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

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. In the MLC championship final, the Freedom defeated the Unicorns by 96 runs to win their first title under captain Steve Smith.[33]

Current squad

  • Players with international caps are listed in bold.
Washington Freedom roster
Position Name Nationality Date of Birth (age) Batting style Bowling style Year signed Notes
Batters Steve Smith  Australia (1989-06-02) June 2, 1989 (age 35) Right-handed Right-arm leg spin 2024 Direct signing
Travis Head  Australia (1993-12-29) December 29, 1993 (age 30) Left-handed Right-arm-off spin 2024 Direct signing
Jack Edwards  Australia (2000-04-19) April 19, 2000 (age 24) Right-handed — 2024 Direct signing
Mukhtar Ahmed  Pakistan (1992-12-20) December 20, 1992 (age 32) Right-handed Right-arm leg break googly 2023
All-rounders Obus Pienaar  United States (1989-12-12) December 12, 1989 (age 35) Right-handed Left-arm off spin 2023
Justin Dill  United States (1994-11-10) November 10, 1994 (age 30) Right-handed Right-arm medium fast 2023
Marco Jansen  South Africa (2000-05-01) May 1, 2000 (age 24) Right-handed Left-arm fast medium 2023 Direct signing
Ian Holland  United States (1990-10-03) October 3, 1990 (age 34) Right-handed Right-arm medium 2024
Glenn Maxwell  Australia (1988-10-14) October 14, 1988 (age 36) Right-handed Right-arm off break 2024 Direct signing
Rachin Ravindra  New Zealand (1999-11-18) November 18, 1999 (age 25) Left-handed Slow left-arm orthodox 2024 Direct signing
Wicket-keepers Andries Gous  United States (1993-11-24) November 24, 1993 (age 31) Right-handed 2023
Lahiru Milantha  Sri Lanka (1994-05-28) May 28, 1994 (age 30) Left-handed 2024
Bowlers Saurabh Netravalkar  United States (1991-10-16) October 16, 1991 (age 33) Right-handed Left-arm medium fast 2023
Akhilesh Bodugum  United States (2000-04-28) April 28, 2000 (age 24) Right-handed Right-arm off spin 2023 U23 player
Akeal Hosein  West Indies (1993-04-25) April 25, 1993 (age 31) Left-handed Slow left-arm orthodox 2023 Direct signing
Amila Aponso  Sri Lanka (1993-06-23) June 23, 1993 (age 31) Right-handed Slow left-arm orthodox 2024
Yasir Mohammad  United States (2002-10-10) October 10, 2002 (age 22) Left-handed Legbreak Googly 2024
Lockie Ferguson  New Zealand (1991-06-13) June 13, 1991 (age 33) Right-handed Right-arm fast 2024 Direct signing
Andrew Tye  Australia (1986-12-12) December 12, 1986 (age 38) Right-handed Right-arm medium fast 2024 Direct signing

Administration and support staff

Washington Freedom staff
Position Name
Head coach Ricky Ponting
General Manager Michael Klinger
Bowling coach Dale Steyn
Assistant coach

Coaching history

Administration changes
Name Season Change Role
Greg Shipperd[34] 2023 Resigned Head Coach
Ricky Ponting[35] 2024 Appointed Head Coach

Seasons

Seasons

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

Year Played Wins Losses Tied/NR
2023 6 3 3 0
Source: ESPNCricinfo[36]

Note:

  • NR indicates No result.
  • Abandoned matches are indicated as no result.

References

  1. ^ a b Kumar, Arun (March 20, 2023). "Sanjay Govil brings professional cricket to Washington". The American Bazaar. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  2. ^ Lyons, Ivy. "Washington Freedom is DC's new Major League Cricket team". WTOP. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  3. ^ Kenny, Katie (March 15, 2023). "Say Hello to DC's New Major League Cricket Team, the Washington Freedom". Washingtonian. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  4. ^ "Ponting confirmed as Washington Freedom head coach in Major League Cricket". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved February 6, 2024.
  5. ^ 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.
  6. ^ 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.
  7. ^ Patel, Smit (December 7, 2022). "MLC to adopt reformist approach to build new stadium in Washington DC". Cricbuzz. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  8. ^ Hays, Nate (December 1, 2022). "MLC and George Mason University announce feasibility study for DC area stadium". Emerging Cricket. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  9. ^ Martz, Michael (December 30, 2022). "George Mason steps up to bat with potential cricket, baseball stadium". Richmond Times-Dispatch. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  10. ^ Bird, Jensen (November 30, 2022). "George Mason University, Major League Cricket partner up for cricket and baseball facility". WJLA. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  11. ^ Woolsey, Angela (February 27, 2023). "Potential GMU cricket facility has county board intrigued but cautious". FFXnow. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  12. ^ https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/gmu-cricket-stadium-proposal-scrapped/3579208/
  13. ^ McGlashan, Andrew (February 17, 2023). "Coming to America: New South Wales signs deal with Major League Cricket". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  14. ^ "Cricket NSW partners with America in new T20 league". AAP. Cricket Australia. February 17, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  15. ^ Lavalette, Tristan (March 11, 2023). "How America's New Pro T20 Cricket League Can Lure Top Australian Players". Forbes. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  16. ^ 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.
  17. ^ "Washington Freedom chosen as name for DC's professional cricket team". Fox 5 DC. March 15, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  18. ^ 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.
  19. ^ Kasari, Kingshuk (March 20, 2023). "Finch, Hasaranga highlight MLC Draft". India Today. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  20. ^ "From India to the USA: Five IPL 2023 stars set to light up Major League Cricket". Wisden. April 17, 2023. Retrieved May 23, 2023.
  21. ^ "Marco Jansen joins Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, USA". ClubCricketSA. May 17, 2023. Retrieved May 24, 2023.
  22. ^ 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.
  23. ^ Paynter, Jack (May 28, 2023). "Zampa, Wade, Henriques add to MLC's Aussie influx". Cricket Australia. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  24. ^ Patel, Smit (May 31, 2023). "Dale Steyn appointed bowling coach of Washington Freedom". Cricbuzz. Retrieved May 31, 2023.
  25. ^ ANI (May 28, 2023). "Australian trio Matthew Wade, Moises Henriques, Adam Zampa to feature in Major League Cricket". ThePrint. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
  26. ^ 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.
  27. ^ "MLC 2024 set for July 4 start". Cricbuzz. December 16, 2023. Retrieved December 16, 2023.
  28. ^ "INTERNATIONAL T20 SUPERSTARS RETURNING FOR MLC SEASON TWO". Major League Cricket. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  29. ^ "2024 MLC Domestic Draft Results". Major League Cricket. March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  30. ^ Sagar, Singh (March 21, 2024). "MLC Domestic Draft: Hassan Khan, Joshua Tromp draw top dollars. Smit Patel unsold". Cricbuzz. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  31. ^ "2024 MLC Domestic Draft Results". Major League Cricket. March 22, 2024. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  32. ^ Sagar, Singh (March 21, 2024). "Texas Super Kings snap up Mitchell for MLC 2024, Shepherd goes to MI New York". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved March 21, 2024.
  33. ^ McGlashan, Andrew (July 29, 2024). "Smith, Maxwell star in Washington Freedom's emphatic title win". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  34. ^ washingtonfreedom_admin (February 6, 2024). "Cricket great Ricky Ponting appointed head coach of Washington Freedom". Washington Freedom. Retrieved June 1, 2024.
  35. ^ "Ricky Ponting in the USA: Australia great named Washington Freedom coach in Major League Cricket". India Today. February 7, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  36. ^ "Major league Cricket Points Table". ESPNCricinfo. February 6, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
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