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"Don't Think We Are A Threat" MLC Chief Clears The Air On Competition With The Hundred

Poulomi Chakraborty

All The Captains Of MLC 2025 (Source: @TexasSuperKings/x.com)All The Captains Of MLC 2025 (Source: @TexasSuperKings/x.com)

In the 21st century, the game of cricket has been modernized, and franchise cricket leagues are taking over the world. In the recent past, after Major League Cricket had been introduced to the American audience, it became popularised within no time.

Amid the T20 buzz, England’s Hundred continues to thrill fans, though many wonder if MLC poses a threat. Reflecting on this issue, MLC’s Chief Executive, Johnny Grave, clears the air.

Is MLC Poised To Challenge The Hundred’s Dominance?

As the cricket-playing nations introduced T20 leagues, the England Cricket Board introduced a cricket league, but in a different way. They unveiled a 100-ball tournament named The Hundred, and it captured hearts quickly. Following the trend, the USA named their T20 league, the Major League Cricket, two years back. Despite cricket not being a mainstream sport there, MLC has managed to spark real interest and turn heads.

As the tournaments made their own audience, MLC’s rise sparked concerns in English cricket over player conflicts with The Hundred, as US investors eye stakes in Hundred franchises. While talking to BBC, MLC’s Chief Executive, Johnny Grave, shared his take on that.

“The likes of England and Australia, and India have had complete monopolies and global dominance. There's always a bit of emotional threat from anything that's new that could destabilise what's been before. But I think now the relationship and communication with the ECB is great. Certainly, I don't think we [MLC] are a threat to the ECB,” Grave said.

Will English Stars Grace The MLC Stage?

Franchise T20 leagues sparkle up more with the presence of the overseas stars. In the cricket leagues across the globe, English stars light up the big stage. But the MLC has taken a different route, as Grave admitted that MLC franchises now seem less interested in engaging English players.

“I don't think English players will be something that our teams are necessarily targeting. They would be competing against the opportunities that exist for English players in their home market for them to stay at home and play in front of their friends and families,” he added.

After two successful seasons, Major League Cricket is coming back with the third season, starting from June 13. The cricket world is excited to see the inaugural clash between Washington Freedom and the San Francisco Unicorns.