Major League Cricket: Liam Plunkett and Australian stars join new American T20 tournament

England’s World Cup winner Liam Plunkett is among the leading names set to feature in the inaugural edition of the USA’s new franchise T20 tournament after being picked up in its first draft.

Major League Cricket is set to launch this summer, 12 months before the US is due to co-host the men’s T20 World Cup alongside the West Indies.

Plunkett, whose wife is American, has not played for England since the 2019 World Cup final and the former Surrey man quit English cricket to play in the States back in 2021.

The seamer was selected by the San Francisco Unicorns at Sunday night’s domestic player draft, where he will be captained by former Australia skipper Aaron Finch, one of six overseas signings announced during the ceremony.

The Unicorns have also agreed a deal with all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, while Mitchell Marsh has joined the Seattle Orcas, meaning three members of Australia’s 2021 T20 World Cup-winning side have already signed up to the new league.

South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton de Kock is also headed for the Orcas, while DC Freedom, based in Washington, have signed his Proteas team-mate Anrich Nortje and Sri Lanka spinner Wanindu Hasaranga.

More high-profile overseas signings are expected in the coming weeks, though the tournament’s scheduling clash with the English summer means most England internationals will not be available.