Photo Credit: Cricket NSW
Australian, NSW and Sydney Sixers star Steve Smith has signed on with Cricket NSW’s Major League Cricket partner, Washington Freedom, as an ambassador to assist in promoting the team.
The New South Welshman will bring his sporting stature, expertise and unrivalled love of the game to the team representing the US capital as an ambassador, just days before the start of Major League Cricket.
In a video posted to Instagram, Smith, who is in England preparing for next week’s fourth Ashes Test, said: “I’m delighted to be a brand ambassador with the Washington Freedom.
“As a New South Wales boy, the partnership the Freedom has with my home state means a lot to me.
“Cricket in Australia has a rich history and I look forward to being part of taking cricket to the United States of America.”
Washington Freedom team founder and owner, Sanjay Govil, said: “As a team and as a new league, we have not only an opportunity, but a duty to grow American cricket.
“Bringing Steve to help promote the team will undeniably help us do this. He’s a true great of the game and a fantastic person, who is respected the world over.”
Smith joins as part of our sporting partnership with Cricket New South Wales, with players and coaches also moving on to our roster for our debut MLC campaign.”
Freedom General Manager Cricket, Michael Klinger, who also heads up T20 formats for CNSW, said: “This is a huge moment for us and we look forward to Steve spreading the word about Washington Freedom to all his fans.
“Organisationally, Steve has been part of Cricket NSW from Pathway levels until now and our system has seen him develop into the man he is today. The Washington Freedom and Steve Smith relationship is one we would like to continue to develop in years to come.
“He’s a great player in all formats of the game, and you only need to look at his performances in the Big Bash for the Sydney Sixers [where he averaged 86.50 and scored at a strike rate of 174] to see his commitment to the shorter form.
“This is another sign that together Major League Cricket and Washington Freedom mean business.”
