USA's MLC gets List A status from ICC

The International Cricket Council has granted USA’s Major League Cricket a List A status ahead of its second season, which is set to get underway on July 5. The MLC now becomes the second Associate-run franchise competition to gain a List A status.

Now, every century, half-century, five-wicket haul', run-out, win, loss, and championship will be documented as official career statistics in an internationally recognized format of the game. 

“We are really excited for the news as it's a recognition of the standard and high quality of players taking part in the tournament. By awarding MLC List A status for the upcoming season, it assists to acknowledge the strength and growing stature of the tournament and ultimately will help to enhance the credibility of the sport in the USA on a global scale,” tournament director Justin Geale told ESPNcricinfo.

"The most important part for me though is it ensures the performances of some of the world's best players alongside their peers are adequately reflected in their career statistics.

"Really thankful to the ICC for taking the time to look at it as cricket in the USA doesn't always fit into a template. We are an Associate nation and proud of that, one with a unique opportunity in front of us. It's our hope that on the back of the upcoming World Cup and a successful season we can continue to build a platform for the sport to grow and ultimately succeed in the USA."

The List A Status comes after the MLC’s successful inaugural season. In addition, MLC CEO, Vijay Srinivasan, recently announced aspirations to expand from what began as a 19-game season in 2023 to a 34-game season by 2025.

"It was always intended to be a 10-team league. Studies show that we are a big enough country, with a big enough demographic to support 10 teams, so that's our plan. We had 19 games in our first season, will have 25 in our second. I think we want to get to 34 next year, and just gradually keep expanding,” MLC's chief executive, Vijay Srinivasan, told the Guardian.

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