5 best batters to watch out for in MLC 2024 ft. Nicholas Pooran
The much-awaited Major League Cricket (MLC) 2024 is set to be played from July 6 to 29. The Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas and Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina will be the venues for the tournament.
With the rise of cricket in the USA and their team's performance in the 2024 T20 World Cup, many notable players will partake in the tournament. Sunil Narine, Kieron Pollard, Corey Anderson, Faf du Plessis and Steve Smith will be leading the six teams.
On that note, let's take a look at the five batters who can shine in MLC 2024.
#1 Heinrich Klaasen
The explosive batter will represent the Seattle Orcas in the MLC 2024 season. Heinrich Klaasen is coming off a terrific 2024 T20 World Cup final game against India, where he smoked 52 off 27 balls. Interestingly, he took 24 runs off Axar Patel's over, but after his dismissal, the Proteas batters failed to chase down the score.
In the last MLC season, Klaasen garnered 235 runs in six innings at an average of 58.75 and a strike rate of around 200.
#2 Steve Smith
In a surprise move, Steve Smith was announced as the captain of Washington Freedom for the MLC 2024 season. He did not feature in Australia's T20 World Cup squad, with his last T20 appearance coming in February this year against New Zealand.
In 246 T20s, Smith has amassed nearly 5,300 runs at an average of 30.79, with 24 fifties and three centuries.
#3 Nicholas Pooran
The Caribbean batter emerged as the top batter in the MLC 2023 season with 388 runs in eight innings at an average of 64.66 and a strike rate of 167.24. He led the MI New York to title victory, by smoking 137* off 55 balls, with 10 fours and 13 sixes, in the final.
Nicholas Pooran impressed with his strong showing in the 2024 T20 World Cup as well. He compiled 228 runs in seven innings with a strike rate of 146.15 to end as West Indies' best batter.
#4 Faf du Plessis
With his sole focus being franchise T20 cricket, Faf du Plessis will be leading the Texas Super Kings. Despite scoring only 46 runs in seven innings last year, the team management has entrusted the experience of Du Plessis.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru skipper, Faf du Plessis slammed 438 runs in 15 innings at a strike rate of 161.62 in IPL 2024. With good form leading up to the tournament, the veteran batter's form will be crucial for the Super Kings.
#5 Jason Roy
The English batter decided to skip IPL 2024 to focus on his mental health and will be fresh ahead of MLC 2024. In the last MLC season, Roy garnered 54 runs in three innings for the Los Angeles Knight Riders.
In 361 T20s, Roy has amassed 9,299 runs, with 61 fifties and six centuries. He will look to provide a strong start to the Knight Riders in their bid to win their maiden MLC title.