Leg Buys cricket column: Ricky Ponting to coach Major League Cricket team Washington Freedom

A host of Australian white-ball stars are expected to be in the sights of US teams after Aussie legend Ricky Ponting committed to a coaching gig in Major League Cricket.

Ricky Ponting is in, and the likes of Steve Smith and Travis Head look likely to be next.

In a move flagged by this column last week, Ponting has been confirmed as coach of Major League Cricket’s Washington Freedom, taking over from his former Tasmanian coach Greg Shipperd who led the club during the inaugural MLC season last year.

It is a giant coup for the competition and in particular the Freedom, who has a partnership with Cricket NSW.

The role fits in nicely with Ponting’s commentary commitments during this year’s Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies and US given the second edition of MLC begins just days after the tournament ends.

Ricky Ponting has taken charge of the Washington Freedom. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

With Ponting secured, the next cabs off the rank are player signings.

No deals can be confirmed until late next week, however industry sources have indicated that Smith and Head are among the big-name Aussies who have interest from the Freedom.

Smith, who has ties to the US, was an ambassador for the club during the first season of MLC. An overlap with the Ashes meant Australia’s Test stars were ruled out of playing that campaign, but that won’t be as much of a concern this time around given Australia does not play in July this year.

While frontline quicks Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc would all have suitors, Freedom’s general manager of cricket Michael Klinger said the franchise was proceeding on the basis that they be held back by Cricket Australia.

“We are sort of taking the line that most of the fast bowlers playing in April, May and June won’t be available,” Klinger told this masthead.

Steve Smith could be the next Aussie headed to the US.

Travis Head is in demand after his ODI World Cup heroics.

But Head, who exploded into Indian Premier League calculations after his World Cup heroics last year, and former Test skipper Smith, are both believed to be firmly in the mix, even if Klinger was tight-lipped.

“It’s a shorter tournament as well, which is quite attractive for players,” Klinger said.

The Ponting move had its genesis in a text message from Klinger, who is also CNSW’s head of male T20 cricket, last year.

Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Finch, Adam Zampa and Matthew Wade all featured in the first season of MLC, while Glenn Maxwell – another obvious MLC target – told the BBC last year that the short nature of the event made it an attractive proposition.

The first title was won by the Seattle Orcas, who have launched a partnership with Queensland Cricket.

HAYNES’ LOW-KEY DEPARTURE

Another T20 tournament that launched last year was the Women’s Premier League – the sister event to the IPL.

The second edition of the tournament begins later this month, with a glut of top Aussies set to head to the subcontinent to earn their riches.

One woman who won’t be there however is former Australian vice-captain and batter Rachael Haynes.

Rachael Haynes won’t be back at the Gujarat Giants. Picture: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The 37-year-old coached the Gujarat Giants last season, with the side winning just two of its eight games.

It’s understood she quietly parted ways with the franchise last year, having taken on a new role as the head of the Sydney Sixers across the Big Bash Leagues.

The Giants announced on Tuesday that Michael Klinger would replace Haynes as head coach for the 2024 season.

The WPL begins on February 24, the same day as the Women’s National Cricket League final, meaning some of Australia’s top female players are facing a potential schedule clash should their states qualify for the decider of the national 50-over league.

Leg Buys is Code Sports’ regular column looking at player and staff movement in cricket, particularly through an Australian prism.