Washington Freedom (cricket)

Last updated
Washington Freedom
Washington Freedom Logo.svg
League Major League Cricket
Personnel
Captain Steve Smith
Coach Ricky Ponting
Owner Sanjay Govil [1]
Team information
City Washington, D.C., United States (planned)
ColoursRed, White, and Blue
   
Founded2023;1 year ago (2023)
History
Major League Cricket  wins1 (2024)
Official website washingtonfreedom.com
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T20 kit

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

Contents

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

Washington Freedom roster
PositionNameNationalityDate of Birth (age)Batting styleBowling styleYear signedNotes
Batters Steve Smith Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia June 2, 1989 (age 35)Right-handedRight-arm leg spin2024Direct signing
Travis Head Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia December 29, 1993 (age 30)Left-handedRight-arm-off spin2024Direct signing
Jack Edwards Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 19 April 2000 (age 24)Right-handed—2024Direct signing
Mukhtar Ahmed Flag of Pakistan.svg  Pakistan December 20, 1992 (age 31)Right-handedRight-arm leg break googly2023
All-rounders Obus Pienaar Flag of the United States.svg  United States December 12, 1989 (age 34)Right-handedLeft-arm off spin2023
Justin Dill Flag of the United States.svg  United States November 10, 1994 (age 30)Right-handedRight-arm medium fast2023
Marco Jansen Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa May 1, 2000 (age 24)Right-handedLeft-arm fast medium2023Direct signing
Ian Holland Flag of the United States.svg  United States October 3, 1990 (age 34)Right-handedRight-arm medium2024
Glenn Maxwell Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia October 14, 1988 (age 36)Right-handedRight-arm off break2024Direct signing
Rachin Ravindra Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand November 18, 1999 (age 24)Left-handedSlow left-arm orthodox2024Direct signing
Wicket-keepers Andries Gous Flag of the United States.svg  United States November 24, 1993 (age 30)Right-handed2023
Lahiru Milantha Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka May 28, 1994 (age 30)Left-handed2024
Bowlers Saurabh Netravalkar Flag of the United States.svg  United States October 16, 1991 (age 33)Right-handedLeft-arm medium fast2023
Akhilesh BodugumFlag of the United States.svg  United States April 28, 2000 (age 24)Right-handedRight-arm off spin2023U23 player
Akeal Hosein WestIndiesCricketFlagPre1999.svg  West Indies April 25, 1993 (age 31)Left-handedSlow left-arm orthodox2023Direct signing
Amila Aponso Flag of Sri Lanka.svg  Sri Lanka June 23, 1993 (age 31)Right-handedSlow left-arm orthodox2024
Yasir Mohammad Flag of the United States.svg  United States October 10, 2002 (age 22)Left-handedLegbreak Googly2024
Lockie Ferguson Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand June 13, 1991 (age 33)Right-handedRight-arm fast2024Direct signing
Andrew Tye Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia December 12, 1986 (age 37)Right-handedRight-arm medium fast2024Direct signing

Administration and support staff

Washington Freedom staff
PositionName
Head coach Ricky Ponting
General ManagerMichael Klinger
Bowling coachDale Steyn
Assistant coach

Coaching history

Administration changes
NameSeasonChangeRole
Greg Shipperd [34] 2023ResignedHead Coach
Ricky Ponting [35] 2024AppointedHead Coach

Seasons

Seasons

YearLeague standingFinal standing
2023 3rd out of 6Semifinals
2024 1st out of 6Champions

Season summary

YearPlayedWinsLossesTied/NR
2023 6330
Source: ESPNCricinfo [36]

Note:

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References

  1. 1 2 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 2024-02-06.
  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.
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  10. ↑ Bird, Jensen (November 30, 2022). "George Mason University, Major League Cricket partner up for cricket and baseball facility". WJLA . Retrieved May 21, 2023.
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  12. ↑ https://www.nbcwashington.com/news/local/northern-virginia/gmu-cricket-stadium-proposal-scrapped/3579208/
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