Fast bowler Liam Plunkett has ended a lengthy career in the United Kingdom to pursue Minor and Major League Cricket in the United States of America.
Plunkett played 13 Tests, 89 ODIs and 22 T20Is from 2015 to 2019. He won the 2019 World Cup with England.
“Moving onto the next phase of my career, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to join Major League Cricket and focus my attention on helping to grow the sport in the United States,” said Plunkett.
“I’ve enjoyed a fantastic career with England, and after retiring from international cricket, I am delighted to be able to help build the sport in America in both playing and coaching capacities.
“In addition, I am looking forward to supporting the team closest to our home in the US by being able to play for The Philadelphians in Minor League Cricket.”
More about Minor League Cricket in the US
The 27-team Minor League Cricket Championship is currently being played across the States. The tournament is effectively a pathway to Major League Cricket, which will likely be launched with six teams in 2022 or 2023.
Plunkett will probably play alongside former Gauteng and Nelson Mandela Bay Giants seamer Carmi le Roux at The Philadelphians.
Le Roux is among several South Africans playing Minor League Cricket in a bid to be involved in eventual Major League Cricket.
Several other former international stars are playing cricket in the USA, too, including New Zealand’s Corey Anderson, South Africa’s Dane Piedt and Rusty Theron, Sri Lanka’s Shehan Jayasuriya, Pakistan’s Sami Aslam, Canada’s Rizwan Cheema and West Indian duo Xavier Marshall and Narsingh Deonarine.
“We are delighted to have a player of Liam’s calibre joining Major League Cricket, as we continue to make great progress towards bringing world-class T20 cricket to America for the first time,” added Major League Cricket tournament director Justin Geale.
“Liam’s enthusiasm to support the game’s growth at every level is going to be a huge asset for cricket in America, and we’re excited to see him support and play for The Philadelphians in Minor League Cricket in 2022.”