In a first for the state, Cricket Victoria has teamed up with America to finalise a landmark partnership with the San Francisco-based Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise, as Australian cricket continues to expand its global footprint.

The strategic partnership will support the team’s development ahead of the inaugural MLC competition later this year, featuring six teams representing major metropolitan areas in the United States.

The pair are ultimately aiming to provide global opportunities for Victoria’s emerging cricket talent through high-performance-oriented initiatives, which would also give US-based players the opportunity to learn and grow within Victorian cricket.

Commenting on the partnership, Cricket Victoria CEO, Nick Cummins, said: “It’s an incredible opportunity and we’re excited to see how it unfolds over the months ahead.”

“Beyond that, we have a responsibility to present new opportunities to Victorian cricket. In a rapidly evolving global cricket landscape, we believe our partnership with San Francisco and MLC gives us a chance to do just that,” he said.

Co-founder of MLC, Sameer Mehta, celebrated the exciting prospect, adding: “Following the announcement of the partnership between the Washington D.C. MLC franchise and Cricket NSW last month, we are thrilled that another globally recognized cricket organization like Cricket Victoria shares our vision to advance the sport of cricket in the United States.”

Cricket Victoria adds the US to its existing strong relationships with Japan Cricket and English county cricket teams, as the sport continues to grow abroad.

The inaugural MLC competition begins July 13, 2023, near Dallas, Texas, featuring some of the biggest names in world cricket alongside the States’ upcoming domestic talent.