Proteas all-rounder Wayne Parnell has been appointed captain of the Seattle Orcas for the inaugural edition of Major League Cricket in the United States of America.
Parnell was recruited by the Orcas earlier this year and, this week, named captain.
“Being in America, it is a land for dreamers. For us as international cricketers in America, it is our duty to promote the game in America and make sure over the next five to 10 years it takes off,” said Parnell.
“A lot of expats play the game, but to get the Americans who were born and bred here, it is vital.”
Former Proteas captain Faf du Plessis, meanwhile, has been appointed captain of the Texas Super Kings.
“I see myself, in 10 or 15 years, coming into American sports and you can see the American feel, watching the game of cricket, which is unique to anywhere else in the world,” added du Plessis.
The opening season of Major League Cricket is scheduled to start on 13 July 2023. It will comprise six teams.
The International Cricket Council have not given the tournament official T20 status. Like the United Arab Emirates, which stages the International League T20, the USA is not a full member nation of the ICC.
Other South Africans in Major League Cricket
Several other South Africans will be involved in MLC. Former Proteas spinner Robin Peterson has been named MI New York head coach. New York have signed batsman Dewald Brevis and fast bowler Kagiso Rabada.
The Texas Super Kings also have Proteas duo Gerald Coetzee and David Miller.
Former Proteas fast bowler Dale Steyn will be Washington Freedom bowling coach. Washington have recruited Proteas duo Marco Jansen and Anrich Nortje – and former Test spinner Dane Piedt.
Fast bowler Lungi Ngidi is with the San Francisco Unicorns – and batsman Rilee Rossouw has been signed by the Los Angeles Knight Riders.
MORE latest Minor League Cricket (MilC) and Major League Cricket (MLC) news
- Corne Dry joins Los Angeles Knight Riders
- Rusty Theron, Calvin Savage join Texas Super Kings
- Former Warriors batsman David White joins San Francisco Unicorns
- Dane Piedt, Justin Dill join Anrich Nortje at Washington Freedom
- Wayne Parnell joins Quinton de Kock at Seattle Orcas
- Marco Jansen signs for Washington Freedom
- Lungi Ngidi joins San Francisco Unicorns
- Washington Freedom appoint Dale Steyn bowling coach
- Reeza Hendricks plays for Kingsmen X in USA
- Matthew Tromp joins Quinton de Kock at Seattle Orcas