Travis Head, Steve Smith, Kagiso Rabada, and David Miller Omitted from MLC 2025 Draft
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Synopsis
As the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 draft approaches, notable players like Travis Head, Steve Smith, Kagiso Rabada, and David Miller have not been retained by their franchises. The six teams announced their retained players, with several significant changes in the rosters as they prepare for the upcoming season.
Key Takeaways
- Head, Smith, Rabada, and Miller released from MLC franchises.
- Washington Freedom retains 15 players, losing Head.
- Seattle Orcas and LA Knight Riders face major roster changes.
- MI New York retains key players but releases Rabada.
- Texas Super Kings maintain their top order for the new season.
New Delhi, Feb 15 (NationPress) In anticipation of the Major League Cricket (MLC) 2025 draft, the six franchises have revealed their retained players, with notable absences including Travis Head, Steve Smith, Kagiso Rabada, and David Miller.
The reigning champions, Washington Freedom, have maintained their roster by retaining 15 players, the highest among the franchises. However, they have released Head, who shared the title of joint-highest scorer last season with captain Steven Smith. Additionally, Akeal Hosein and Andrew Tye have also been let go.
The 2024 runners-up, San Francisco Unicorns, have retained most of their key players, including their dynamic opening duo of Finn Allen and Jake Fraser-McGurk. Yet, they have parted ways with Pat Cummins, Matt Henry, and Josh Inglis, among others.
Seattle Orcas are set for a major transformation, having retained only seven players, the fewest of any franchise. They will keep just two international players: South African pair Heinrich Klaasen and Ryan Rickelton, the latter enjoying a successful international stint since the last MLC season. Released international players include Quinton de Kock, Michael Bracewell, Obed McCoy, and Nandre Burger.
LA Knight Riders retained only three international players: Andre Russell, Sunil Narine, and Spencer Johnson, facing similar difficulties. They have let go of Miller, Jason Roy, Shakib Al Hasan, and Adam Zampa.
MI New York, the winners of the inaugural MLC title, have kept Kieron Pollard, Trent Boult, Nicholas Pooran, and Rashid Khan, but have released South African pacers Kagiso Rabada and Anrich Nortje, along with Tim David and Dewald Brevis.
Texas Super Kings have preserved their top-order batsmen, Faf du Plessis and Devon Conway, for the upcoming season. They have also retained all-rounder Marcus Stoinis and Afghan left-arm wrist-spinner Noor Ahmad. Meanwhile, they have released Mitchell Santner, Matheesha Mathirana, Daryl Mitchell, and Naveen-ul-Haq.
Several notable domestic players who were not retained include Steven Taylor from MI New York, Shehan Jayasuriya from Seattle Orcas, and Jasdeep Singh from Washington Freedom.
List of players retained for MLC 2025:
LA Knight Riders: Ali Khan, Adithya Ganesh, Unmukt Chand, Nitish Kumar, Corne Dry, Saif Badar, Shadley van Schalkwyk, Matthew Tromp, Spencer Johnson, Andre Russell, Sunil Narine.
MI New York: Ehsan Adil, Nosthush Kenjige, Monank Patel, Heath Richards, Rushil Ugarkar, Sunny Patel, Kieron Pollard, Nicholas Pooran, Rashid Khan, Trent Boult.
San Francisco Unicorns: Corey Anderson, Hassan Khan, Liam Plunkett, Carmi Le Roux, Brody Couch, Karima Gore, Juanoy Drysdale, Sanjay Krishnamurthi, Haris Rauf, Finn Allen, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matthew Short.
Seattle Orcas: Harmeet Singh, Cameron Gannon, Ali Sheikh, Ayan Desai, Aaron Jones, Heinrich Klaasen, Ryan Rickelton.
Texas Super Kings: Joshua Tromp, Calvin Savage, Milind Kumar, Mohammad Mohsin, Zia-ul-Haq, Saiteja Mukkamalla, Faf du Plessis, Devon Conway, Noor Ahmad, Marcus Stoinis.
Washington Freedom: Andries Gous, Mukhtar Ahmed, Obus Pienaar, Saurabh Netravalkar, Ian Holland, Amila Aponso, Justin Dill, Lahiru Milantha, Yasir Mohammad, Marco Jansen, Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson, Rachin Ravindra, Steven Smith, Jack Edwards.
