Ricky Ponting will coach the Cricket NSW-aligned Washington Freedom in the burgeoning Major League Twenty20 competition in the USA later this year, as a host of Australian players look at signing on for the tournament.
Still arguably the biggest name in Australian cricket, Ponting’s signature for MLC on a two-year deal is akin to Shane Warne’s recruitment by the Melbourne Stars in the early days of Big Bash League, adding instant credibility and star power to the franchise league as it enters its second season.
Ricky Ponting commentating alongside Tim Lane.
The likes of Steve Smith and Travis Head have been mentioned as possible signings for the Freedom, for an event that will follow closely on the heels of the T20 World Cup to be played in the USA and the Caribbean in June.
“There’s obviously leagues popping up everywhere around the world now, and I think you’ll probably see more players in the back end of their career going down that route, so it’s potentially something I’ll look at in the future,” Smith said in 2022.
“The US has been a market that cricket’s been trying to get into for some time. So yeah, I think it’d be interesting to see how it goes.”
Cricket NSW took up a high-performance partnership role with the Freedom last year, an alliance that offers a useful commercial upside for the state association while also keeping it clued into the rapidly growing realm of franchise leagues. Cricket Victoria has a similar tie-in with the San Francisco Unicorns, while other teams have Indian Premier League links.
“Cricket is really on the rise in the US and I’m looking forward to being involved in Major League Cricket,” Ponting said.
“I’ve been impressed by everyone involved at Washington Freedom and, while it’s a bit surreal to be replacing my mate Greg Shipperd, there’s probably no one better to set up a successful franchise. I’m ready to build on his work as we look towards the coming season.”
Wealthy Indian-American businessman Sanjay Govil, the Freedom’s owner, said Ponting’s signing was a major step forward for the league.
“As we look to the future, it’s clear that our ambitions require a figure of unmatched stature and expertise,” he said. “It is with immense pride and anticipation that we welcome Ricky Ponting as our head coach.
“Ricky’s legendary status, characterised by his leadership, winning mindset, and commitment to nurturing talent, aligns perfectly with our goals.
“Ricky’s appointment is a pivotal step in our quest to not just participate in the MLC but to redefine it, offering unparalleled cricket experiences to our fans and creating a legacy of excellence in American cricket.”
Since his retirement, Ponting has held a range of coaching roles in the IPL, and has served as overseer of the Hobart Hurricanes BBL program, alongside commentary duties. He also consulted as a coach and mentor for the Australian men’s team on various occasions, most recently during the 2019 ODI World Cup.
