Hundred set to face battle to recruit prime gamers as a result of deliberate growth of Twenty20 franchise match in the USA… with stars incomes almost £200,000 extra within the MLC
- The primary version of MLC is because of happen in Texas and North Carolina in July
- One group has had talks with Australia star Steve Smith about enjoying subsequent yr
- There’s a basic technique of focusing on those that have performed within the Hundred
The ECB face a battle to recruit the world’s greatest gamers for the Hundred from subsequent yr as a result of a deliberate growth of Main League Cricket in the USA.
The primary version of MLC, the latest Twenty20 franchise match, is because of happen over three weekends in Texas and North Carolina this July, however Mail Sport can reveal there are plans to develop subsequent yr into August and overlap with the Hundred, the ECB’s flagship occasion.
The subsequent T20 World Cup — which England are the holders of — shall be co-hosted by the US and West Indies in June 2024, and MLC organisers hope to capitalise on the raised curiosity by staging an extended model of their competitors quickly after.
MLC have already recruited big-name internationals Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and Quinton de Kock for this summer time’s launch, with extra abroad stars to observe.
There are six franchises — in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Texas and Washington — one among whom has had talks with Australia star Steve Smith about enjoying subsequent summer time. There’s a basic technique of focusing on those that have performed within the Hundred.
Bowler Liam Plunkett is the one Englishman up to now to decide to this yr’s MLC
With 4 of the six groups owned by IPL franchises and the opposite two backed by Australian states, MLC is extra profitable than the Hundred.
Gamers can earn £300,000 in MLC, in comparison with a prime fee of £125,000 for a month’s contract in England.
The Hundred is already going through an unsure future. As revealed by Mail Sport, the ECB are in talks with counties about changing it with a brand new T20 match known as the English Premier League.
The ECB are conscious of the menace posed by MLC, and have responded to it by looking for to stop England gamers from signing up.
World Cup winners Jason Roy and Alex Hales attracted curiosity from MLC franchises this yr however have but to signal, with the ECB exhibiting a reluctance to signal the No Objection Certificates required to launch them from county duties.
MLC organisers are understood to have retaliated by making an attempt to discourage the franchises from recruiting English gamers, a transfer which can solely intensify the competitors for international stars.
Consequently Liam Plunkett is the one Englishman who has up to now dedicated to the MLC this summer time, with the previous England bowler already being a resident in the USA.
