USA women’s T20 franchise tournament with world’s best players could launch in near future

MI New York – MLC’s inaugural winners – are owned by Mukesh Ambani, whose wife Nita has been a prominent advocate of women’s cricket.

It is unclear at this stage what impact the plans would have on the international commitments for England’s women’s players, and potentially The Hundred.

Earlier this year, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) pledged an extra £800,000 to the eight women’s franchises, ensuring the top players will earn up to £50,000.

That figure is considerably less than the unprecedented salaries earned by the most in demand female cricketers drafted for the Women’s Premier League (WPL) in India.

Nat Sciver-Brunt (£320,000) and spinner Sophie Ecclestone (£180,000) were England’s best paid players at the tournament.

English men’s cricket has already felt the impact of MLC’s emergence.

Opener Jason Roy decided to cancel his incremental white-ball deal with the ECB – worth £60,000-£70,000 – to play in the inaugural season of MLC.

Roy has been retained by his franchise the Los Angeles Knight Riders for 2024.

MLC has signed up more high-profile names for the forthcoming season – which starts the week after the T20 World Cup final – including Australia trio Steve Smith, Travis Head and Glenn Maxwell.