- Ricky Ponting is the new head coach of the Washington Freedom
- The T20 competition in the US starts on July 4, just after the T20 World Cup
- Ponting, 49, believes cricket as a sport is “on the rise” in America
Major League Cricket (MLC) has made the most high-profile signing in its short history with Ricky Ponting as head coach of the Washington Freedom.
The former Australian captain has signed a two-year deal and will succeed Greg Shipperd for the second season of the US-based Twenty20 competition, which starts on July 4.
Shipperd, 67, has stepped down to focus on his duties as coach of the Sydney Sixers and men’s state teams at Cricket NSW – Freedom’s high-performance partner.
Ponting, currently coach of the Indian Premier League’s Delhi Capitals and a popular media pundit, confirmed last week that he was in talks to join Washington but had to sort out logistics.
He was announced as head coach on Wednesday morning AEDT.
Major League Cricket (MLC) has made the most prominent signing in its short history with Ricky Ponting as head coach of the Washington Freedom
The former Australian captain has signed a two-year deal ahead of the second season of the US-based Twenty20 competition, which starts on July 4.
“Cricket is really on the rise in the US,” Ponting said.
“I’ve been impressed with everyone involved at Washington Freedom and while it’s a little surreal to replace my buddy Greg Shipperd, there’s probably no one better to build a successful franchise.”
“I’m ready to build on his work as we look to the upcoming season.”
Ponting previously coached the IPL’s Mumbai Indians and has worked in the Australian set-up, most recently as an assistant to former head coach Justin Langer.
He takes the reins of a Washington team that finished third on the ladder in the inaugural MLC last year but was eliminated in the playoffs by eventual champion MI New York.
Adam Zampa, Moises Henriques and Aaron Finch were among the Australians who played in the inaugural season, where four of the six teams received significant financial support from IPL franchises.
Steve Smith and Travis Head are likely to feature this season, possibly for Ponting’s Washington Freedom side.
The second MLC season also kicks off just days after the T20 World Cup final, to be held in the US and Caribbean in June.