Australian cricket great Steven Smith has officially signed with Major League Cricket (MLC) team Washington Freedom ahead of the second season, which begins on July 4. The long-rumored move comes as no surprise, given Smith’s past status as a Freedom brand ambassador and his avowed desire to play in the United States.
Smith, who owns an apartment in New York, acknowledged his delight about the prospect, saying it was “pretty cool” to be a part of America’s rising cricket scene.
Despite coaching changes inside the NSW structure, Smith’s high-performance collaboration with Freedom was likely essential in facilitating the move.
While Smith prepares for his MLC debut, he faces a battle in making Australia’s final T20 World Cup roster. Smith has had few opportunities in T20 cricket since his prolific return to the BBL for the Sydney Sixers in the 2022-23 season, when he made 346 runs at a strike rate of 174.74. He has played two T20Is in India, two matches in last season’s BBL, and as many games against New Zealand in February, where he scored 11 and 4 while opening the batting.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding his international future, Smith remains focused and calm, claiming that he is ready for whatever choice comes his way. With a successful time in the Big Bash League under his belt and a desire to make an impression on the international level.
