Aaron Finch's American Adventure: Leading San Francisco Unicorns In US Cricket's Major League

The cricket landscape in the USA is about to change, and leading the charge is none other than the former Australian skipper, Aaron Finch. With Aaron Finch stats as impressive as his, it's no wonder the San Francisco Unicorns have chosen him as their captain for the new Major League Cricket (MLC). Want to dive into the details? Let's go!

Big League Beginnings

The maiden season of Major League Cricket, USA's biggest T20 cricket venture yet, will kick off in Dallas in mid-July. It's an interesting time, as the Australian Test team will simultaneously be duelling with England in the historic Ashes series. The league comprises six teams, four of which have garnered financial support from big-wig Indian Premier League teams.

Team Spotlight: San Francisco Unicorns

At Aaron Finch age of 36, he's poised to spearhead the Unicorns, a team enjoying the financial backing of private US stakeholders and Cricket Victoria. Their contemporaries, Washington Freedom, enjoy similar support, though their Australian connection ties back to Cricket NSW.

Aaron Finch couldn't contain his excitement and said, "Excited to be a part of @MLCricket @SFOUnicorns." 

If you were to delve into Aaron Finch stats, you'd find he's had a stellar run leading Australia in white-ball cricket until he recently hung up his international boots. He'll share the locker room with Marcus Stoinis, the English speedster Liam Plunkett, and Geelong's Brody Couch, also part of Australia's Big Bash League.

Star-Studded Signings

The Seattle Orcas scored big by signing former South African captain Quinton de Kock. They'll also have Mitch Marsh and American-Australian pacer Cameron Gannon. Not lagging behind, DC Freedom roped in Sri Lankan all-rounder Wanindu Hasaranga and South African speedster Anrich Nortje. And this is just the beginning, with more international stars expected to join in the coming weeks.

Domestic Drafts and Teams

MI New York secured US internationals, Monank Patel and Steven Taylor. Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Knight Riders welcomed ex-Canadian skipper Nitish Kumar.

Here are the six MLC teams:

  • MI New York
  • Los Angeles Knight Riders
  • San Francisco Unicorns
  • Seattle Orcas
  • Team Texas
  • Washington Freedom

The MLC promises 19 thrilling matches across 18 days, from July 13-30, all unfolding in Dallas. Victorian and NSW cricket bodies are geared to foster cricket in the USA, extending support in coaching and roster management.

However, multi-format players from Australia won't be making their way to this league due to the concurrent Ashes series.

Aaron James Finch, a hard-hitting top-order batsman, shot to fame in Victoria. Aaron Finch flair made him an integral part of Australia's Under-19 squad in 2006. He's not just about the power; Aaron Finch's consistency in limited-over formats makes him a prized asset. Aaron Finch juggled between multiple IPL teams, was part of Australia's 2015 World Cup-winning team, and even earned the captaincy for the 2019 World Cup.

FAQs
Who will captain the San Francisco Unicorns in the MLC?
Aaron Finch will lead the San Francisco Unicorns.
How many teams are participating in the MLC?
There are six teams in the MLC.
Who are some of the international players signed for the MLC?
Quinton de Kock, Mitch Marsh, and Wanindu Hasaranga are some signings.
For which team did Aaron Finch play in the 2015 IPL?
Aaron Finch played for the Mumbai Indians in the 2015 IPL.