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MLC 2025 Retention Snub Explained As Pat Cummins, Travis Head Set To Skip 2025 Season

Soumyajit Dutta

Pat Cummins and Travis Head [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]Pat Cummins and Travis Head [Source: @mufaddal_vohra/X.com]

The 2025 Major League Cricket (MLC) season faces a star-powered void as Australian stalwarts Pat Cummins and Travis Head confirmed their absence, prioritizing national duties over franchise commitments as they are set to play Australia’s tour of West Indies in late June.

Their exit sparks a reshuffle across franchises, blending strategic retentions and bold releases ahead of the upcoming draft. Though MLC is set to miss most of the international stars due to national commitment, the 2025 edition might see fresh faces emerging.

MLC Franchises Set To Adjust Roster After Star Exit

Despite losing Head, the defending champions, Washington Freedom retained core firepower, Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson, and Jack Edwards return, alongside Steven Smith, though his availability remains clouded by Australia’s red-ball schedule. The Freedom parted ways with Akeal Hosein and Andrew Tye, banking on their depth to chase back-to-back titles.

Meanwhile, Pat Cummins’ absence as captain and pace spearhead is compounded by Josh Inglis’ unavailability for the San Francisco Unicorns. However, the Unicorns hold onto explosive openers Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matthew Short, and Finn Allen, while Haris Rauf remains their sole Pakistani retention for the team.

However, these are not the only teams that are affected by star shifts. Franchises like Los Angeles Knight Riders and Seattle Orcas also might lose some star firepower ahead of the draft which can hamper their upcoming campaign.

Cummins And Head's MLC Stats

Pat Cummins had a challenging campaign in the Major League Cricket (MLC), representing the San Francisco Unicorns. The Australian pacer played six matches, delivering 138 balls and conceding 211 runs while picking up four wickets. His best bowling figures in the tournament were 2/35, with a bowling average of 52.75. 

Travis Head had an impressive outing in the Major League Cricket (MLC) while playing for the Washington Freedom. In nine matches, he scored 336 runs at an average of 48.00 and a remarkable strike rate of 173.19. Head showcased his consistency with the bat, registering five half-centuries, with his highest score being an unbeaten 77.