The Major League Cricket, or MLC, is one of America’s biggest tournaments of the sport. Inaugurated in 2023, the first season saw 6 teams in the competition who will also participate in the 2nd edition of the league in 2024.
The inaugural season saw many twists on their route to the finals, as the group stages featured 6 teams, of which the MI New York were ranked fourth behind the Seattle Orcas, Washington Fire, and Texas Super Kings, all of which advanced into the knockouts in the first season.
However, then began MI New York’s one-sided domination of the MLC knockouts, as they won on 3 occasions till the finals, where Pooran dominated against the Seattle Orcas side, who were unbeaten till the finals but had to bow down their heads in front of Pooran’s heroic antics.
With several changes in the squads of different teams of the Major League Cricket, let’s have a good look at who can be the probable contenders for the cup.
Top Contenders for the MLC 2024 Trophy
MI New York
With not many changes to their squad from their last year’s campaign, the defending champions can be one of the favorites to retain their grip over the trophy. Under Kieron Pollard’s leadership, once again, MI New York will be seen as the prime contender for the cup.
A stunning bunch of batters, including Nicholas Pooran, Tim David, the USA skipper Monank Patel, and skipper Pollard. However, the power-packed side lays its heart in the all-rounders, who are world-class talents featuring in all global leagues of the world. With the likes of Romario Shepherd and Rashid Khan, MI New York will have the best probable bowling lineup of the tournament that comprises Rabada, Boult, and Nortje’s brilliance and experience.
With the Afghan skipper having led his national side to their first-ever semi-final just weeks ago, the beginning of the MLC, he will be their most dependable option to look at in their quest for defending the title.
Seattle Orcas
The runners-up from the last season of the MLC will look to fancy their chances at the title this time around. The runners-up too did not make many changes to the squad, as the team would still rely on South African batters Quinton de Kock and Henrich Klaasen.
The two veteran batters are informed without any doubt, while Aaron Jones will be an equally convincing addition alongside all-rounders Imad Wasim and Bracewell, who are all set to feature for the first time in the MLC.
With the likes of Burger and McCoy in the Seattle lineup led by the experience of Wayne Parnell, the Seattle Orcas might look to have another terrific run in the tournament just like the edition of MLC 2023.
San Francisco Unicorns
The Unicorns did not have the best of starts to their MLC legacy, as they failed to advance into the knockouts of the MLC 2024. However, with several additions to the squad, they are a new unit and may look forward to turning their fortunes in the Cup.
Despite the inclusion of Australian ODI and test captain Pat Cummins, Corey Anderson has been picked to serve the role of a skipper for the San Francisco Unicorns. A very worthy and power-packed batting unit that is all set to fire with the in-form Allen, Fraser McGurk, and Rutherford. All three will be seen giving their bests alongside Short and Inglis, who are also about to make their debut in the competition.
Cummins will lead their bowling unit alongside Haris Rauf and Matt Henry, and owing to the pitches of the United States, these bowlers who produce immense variations can be an asset in the Cup for the side. They led by Anderson and guided by Cummins will look to go beyond teams like the Washington Freedom and the Texas Super Kings, who, despite having a great bunch of players, might not have the quality to advance into the knockouts of the game.
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