Aaron Finch and Marcus Stoinis in huge USA Cricket coverage

Former Australian captain Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and Mitchell Marsh have all joined Major League Cricket (MLC) in the US following draft day announcements. The Aussie trio has become the first Australian cricket stars confirmed their participation in the inaugural tournament, which begins in the United States later in July.

Finch recently confirmed his retirement as Australia’s captain from both T20 and One-Day Internationals, but will lead the San Francisco Unicorns. He will be captained by his former Australian teammate Marcus Stoinis in the new series.

OH NO: Warner raises fresh concerns after missing the second ODI against India

‘PICTURE OF THE YEAR’: The cricket world is in disbelief at the spectacular scenes

‘ROARS’: Adam Gilchrist in the $380 million mistaken identity case

The Seattle Orcas have signed Mitchell Marsh in their opening season. Marsh has just joined the Australian squad for their three-match tour of India and has been the star of the bat.

Marsh opened Australia and has scored 81 and 66 in his two matches against India. And the Orcas are thrilled to have snagged the in-form all-rounder.

West Australian Cameron Gannon has also joined Marsh in Orcas. The dual Australian/American citizen represented the United States in four T20s in 2019.

Several other international players have signed up for the opening season. New Zealanders Corey Anderson and Liam Plunkett have both also joined Finch and Stoinis at the Unicorns.

South African Anrich Nortje signed for Washington Freedom, while compatriot Quinton de Kock signed for Orcas. World number one T20 bowler Hasaranga Wanindu also signed for Washington Freedom.

Steve Smith was associated with the USA Cricket movement

MLC will hold its inaugural season in July and will participate in Texas and North Carolina over three weeks. The six-team league has been won by several Indian heavyweights, with Microsoft boss Satya Nardella and Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan investing A$174 million.

Story continues

Last week Cricket NSW announced a partnership with the MLC which will see American players play in NSW Premier Cricket and Aussies play in a different way in the MLC.

With the partnership, Cricket NSW will provide players and coaches for the Washington team, which reportedly could finally includes Steve Smith. The talismanic Aussie batter will not play in America’s T20 league this year due to the Ashes, but is said to be considering a move to the US when he ends his Test career.

Smith has a second home in New York and a connection to the Big Apple. He popped the question to his wife Dani while on vacation there in 2017.

Subscribe to our newsletter and round up the biggest sports stories of the week.