Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been named as head coach of Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise Washington Freedom ahead of the second season.
The Aussie will replace Sydney Sixers coach and his longtime mentor Greg Shipperd in the role under whose stint Washington Freedom finished third in the inaugural season.
Ponting termed it ‘surreal’ to replace Shipperd and hopes to build a solid team for the upcoming season.
“I’m extremely excited to be joining the Washington Freedom in 2024. Cricket is really on the rise in the US and I’m looking forward to being involved in Major League Cricket. I’ve been impressed by everyone involved at Washington Freedom, and, while it’s a bit surreal to be replacing my mate Greg Shipperd, there’s probably no one better to set up a successful franchise. I’m ready to build on his work as we look towards the coming season,” Ponting said in a statement.