Image Credit- BCCI
Once it is confirmed that Ricky Ponting is in talks to
coach the Washington Freedom, he might end up being the biggest signing coup in
the brief history of Major League Cricket.
The illustrious former captain of Australia is
considering whether he can commit to both the commentary responsibilities at
the T20 World Cup, which will take place in North America and the Caribbean in
June, and the US-based MLC competition.
Just four days will pass until the T20 World Cup final
takes place in Barbados on June 30 to mark the start of the second edition of
MLC.
Ponting would be the most well-known addition to the
MLC, a six-team league that made its debut last year and enjoys financial
support from IPL teams.
“We’re not there yet, I haven’t committed to
anything just yet, but I’ve had some initial discussions [with
Washington],” Ponting told SEN. “The time of the year sort of fits in
okay for me, but I’ve got a really hectic off-season again. When I say
off-season, there’s no such thing as an off-season for cricketers
anymore.” Ponting, a well-liked pundit for Channel
7, isn’t confirmed to provide commentary during the T20 World Cup as yet. The
World Cup will be aired in Australia for the first time on streaming service
Amazon Prime, which last year made history by acquiring the exclusive rights to
ICC games through 2027.
“It’s potentially another big year of time away
if I want it, so there are things I’ve got to work through,” Ponting said.
“If I’m actually going to be commentating the T20 World Cup or not and if
I’m not doing that, where does MLC fit in?”
Ponting previously coached the Mumbai Indians and has
worked in the Australian set-up, most recently as an assistant to former head
coach Justin Langer.
“I love the coaching side of it,” Ponting
said. “I love working with the best players in the world and trying to
find a way to make them better, and winning some games along the way.”