The Texas Super Kings are an American professional Twenty20 cricket team that competes in Major League Cricket (MLC).[4] The team is based in Grand Prairie, Texas and was announced in 2023 as one of six inaugural teams to play in Major League Cricket.[5] The team has two minor league affiliates – the Dallas Mustangs and the Dallas Xforia Giants, which both compete in Minor League Cricket alongside 24 other teams.[6] The franchise is co-owned by the Chennai Super Kings Cricket, Ross Perot Jr., and Anurag Jain.[7]

Texas Super Kings
LeagueMajor League Cricket
Personnel
CaptainFaf du Plessis
CoachStephen Fleming
Owner
ManagerRussell Radhakrishnan
Team information
CityGrand Prairie, Texas, United States
ColoursYellow  
Founded2023; 1 year ago (2023)
Home groundGrand Prairie Stadium
Capacity7,200 (expandable to 15,000)
Official websitehttp://www.texassuperkings.com

T20 kit

The team's home ground is Grand Prairie Stadium, located in Grand Prairie, Texas.[8] The stadium has a capacity of 7,200 – but it can be expanded to seat 15,000 for major events.[9] The team is coached by Stephen Fleming, who also serves as head coach for the Chennai Super Kings and the Joburg Super Kings,[10] and is captained by former South African skipper Faf du Plessis.[11]

Franchise history

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Background

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In November 2020, USA Cricket announced that ACE had acquired a 15-year lease for a former Minor League Baseball stadium to be renovated into a fully-fledged cricket stadium, which would host the Dallas franchise Major League Cricket team.[12][13] Plans were reaffirmed two years later in December 2022, where MLC officially announced its 2023 season and the name of the Texas franchise home ground, Grand Prairie Stadium.[14]

In May 2022, it was formally announced during a Series A and A1 fundraising round for Major League Cricket that Anurag Jain and Ross Perot Jr. – who were among many big-name investors such as Satya Nadella and Sanjay Parthasarathy – would co-own the Texas franchise cricket team.[15][16]

In the buildup to the 2023 draft – which was held on March 19, the Texas franchise announced its partnership with the Chennai Super Kings.[17] Following the draft, the team held a press conference wherein co-owner Anurag Jain, amongst Stephen Fleming and K.S. Viswanathan,[18] publicly announced their team name – the Texas Super Kings, logo and coach for the first time.[19] However, it was announced in late April that they had revamped their logo for it to look similar to the logos of the Chennai and Joburg Super Kings.[20]

2023 season

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Prior to the launch of the official season, it was announced the MLC's inaugural domestic draft would take place on March 19, 2023.[21] The Super Kings had the final pick of the first round draft and selected Rusty Theron,[22] before adding Sami Aslam, Calvin Savage, and Milind Kumar with later selections.[23] In June 2023, the Super Kings announced seven of their nine overseas signings, including Ambati Rayudu, Devon Conway, and Dwayne Bravo. In addition, they announced their full support staff lineup, including Albie Morkel and Eric Simons, among others.[24] They subsequently announced that former South African skipper, Faf du Plessis, would captain the side[11] and on July 5, selected Mohammad Mohsin as their Domestic Wildcard Pick.[25]

Rayudu withdrew from the tournament following the Board of Control of Cricket in India's proposal of a year-long "cooling-off period" for recently retired players[26] and his place taken by Imran Tahir.[27]

In the opening match of the tournament on July 13, the Super Kings recorded a 69-run win over the Los Angeles Knight Riders.[28][29] This was followed by a 6-run defeat to the Washington Freedom in their second match,[30][31] a 17-run victory over MI New York[32] and an 8-wicket defeat to the Seattle Orcas.[33][34]

A three-wicket win over the San Francisco Unicorns ensured a top-two finish going into the playoffs,[35] but losses to both Seattle and New York saw the team eliminated.[36][37]

2024 season

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Ahead of the start of the 2024 season on July 5,[38][39] on February 15, 2024, the Super Kings released a list of retentions for overseas players, including captain Faf du Plessis, Devon Conway and Mitchell Santner.[40][41] During the domestic players' draft, the Texas Super Kings selected Joshua Tromp and Raj Nannan.[42][43] Outside of the draft, the team announced a series of overseas signings from New Zealander Daryl Mitchell to Australian Marcus Stoinis.[44][45] Mitchell however, following an injury, was ruled out of the season and was replaced by Afghan cricketer Noor Ahmad.[46]

Winning 3, drawing (match suspended due to rain) 2 out of the possible 7 games ensured that the Super Kings reached the playoffs for the second time in a row.

Current squad

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  • Players with international caps are listed in bold.
Texas Super Kings roster
Position Name Nationality Date of birth (age) Batting style Bowling style Year signed Notes
Batters Faf du Plessis   South Africa (1984-07-13) July 13, 1984 (age 40) Right-handed Right-arm leg-break 2023 Direct signing, captain
Milind Kumar   United States (1991-02-15) February 15, 1991 (age 33) Right-handed Right-arm off-break 2023
Saiteja Mukkamalla   United States (2004-04-09) April 9, 2004 (age 20) Right-handed Right-arm off-break 2023 U23 player
All-rounders Calvin Savage   United States (1993-01-04) January 4, 1993 (age 31) Right-handed Right-arm fast 2023
Zia Shahzad   Pakistan (1996-06-18) June 18, 1996 (age 28) Right-handed Right-arm legbreak 2023
Dwayne Bravo   West Indies (1983-10-07) October 7, 1983 (age 41) Right-handed Right-arm medium fast 2023 Direct signing
Mitchell Santner   New Zealand (1992-02-05) February 5, 1992 (age 32) Left-handed Slow left-arm orthodox 2023 Direct signing
Marcus Stoinis   Australia (1989-08-16) August 16, 1989 (age 35) Right-handed Right-arm medium fast 2024 Direct signing
Aiden Markram   South Africa (1994-10-04) October 4, 1994 (age 30) Right-handed Right arm off-break 2024 Direct signing
Aaron Hardie   Australia (1999-01-07) January 7, 1999 (age 25) Right-handed Right arm medium-fast 2024 Direct signing
Cameron Stevenson   United States (1992-10-30) October 30, 1992 (age 32) Right-handed Right arm fast-medium 2023
Raj Nannan   West Indies (1994-09-14) September 14, 1994 (age 30) Left-handed Slow Left arm Orthodox 2024
Daryl Mitchell   New Zealand (1991-05-20) May 20, 1991 (age 33) Right-handed Right-arm medium 2024 Ruled out due to injury
Wicket-keepers Devon Conway   New Zealand (1991-07-08) July 8, 1991 (age 33) Left-handed Right-arm medium 2023 Direct signing
Joshua Tromp   United States (2001-04-01) April 1, 2001 (age 23) Right-handed Right arm medium 2024 Drafted
Bowlers Mohammad Mohsin   Pakistan (1996-04-15) April 15, 1996 (age 28) Left-handed Left-arm leg break googly 2023 Domestic Wildcard Pick
Zia-ul-Haq   Pakistan (1994-12-11) December 11, 1994 (age 29) Right-handed Left-arm fast-medium 2023
Naveen-ul-Haq   Afghanistan (1999-09-23) September 23, 1999 (age 25) Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast 2024

Direct Signing

Noor Ahmad   Afghanistan (2005-01-03) January 3, 2005 (age 19) Right-handed Left-arm unorthodox 2024

Direct Signing

Ottniel Baartman   South Africa (1993-03-18) 18 March 1993 (age 31) Right-handed Right-arm medium-fast 2024 Injury replacement

Administration and support staff

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Texas Super Kings staff[47]
Position Name
Head coach Stephen Fleming
Assistant coach Eric Simons
Assistant coach Albie Morkel
Team manager Russell Radhakrishnan
Strength and conditioning Greg King
High performance analyst Lakshmi Narayanan
Physiotherapist Tommy Simsek

Performance

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Standings

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Year League standing Final standing
2023 Second Challenger
2024 Third Challenger
  •   C: champions
  •   RU: runner-up
  •   CH: team eliminated in the Challenger stage of the play-offs

Season summary

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Year Played Wins Losses Tied/NR[a]
2023 7 3 4 0
2024 7 3 2 2
Source: ESPNCricinfo[48]

Notes

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  1. ^ NR indicates "no result", while abandoned matches are also indicated as "no result".

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Chennai Super Kings buys Texas franchise in Major League Cricket". Mint. March 18, 2023. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  2. ^ Skores, Alexandra (November 15, 2022). "Major League Cricket wrapping up renovations to Grand Prairie Stadium, season begins July". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  3. ^ Jordan, Raven (November 17, 2022). "Cricket goes to the major leagues in Dallas, and Ross Perot Jr. is connected". Preston Hollow Advocate. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  4. ^ Martinez, Glorie (March 22, 2023). "Major League Cricket makes its U.S. debut in Texas this summer". Texas Standard. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  5. ^ Ameer, Sana (March 23, 2023). "Texas sports: First professional Major League Cricket team debuts". Midland Reporter-Telegram. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  6. ^ Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi (March 21, 2023). "Texas' Major League Cricket team announces name, coach". Axios. Retrieved April 2, 2023.
  7. ^ Maddox, Will (March 22, 2023). "North Texas' Pro Cricket Team Partners With Four-Time Indian Champs". D Magazine. Retrieved April 2, 2022.
  8. ^ Murray, Lance (March 21, 2023). "Meet the Texas Super Kings: Major League Cricket Takes the Field in July at Grand Prairie Stadium". Dallas Innovates. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  9. ^ Wallis, Jay (November 15, 2022). "'It's an exciting time' – Major League Cricket coming to Grand Prairie in July 2023". WFAA. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  10. ^ "Fleming to coach Texas Super Kings in USA's Major League Cricket". ESPNcricinfo. March 22, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  11. ^ a b "MLC 2023: Faf du Plessis named captain of Texas Super Kings". Sportstar. The Hindu. June 16, 2023. Retrieved June 16, 2023.
  12. ^ DiFurio, Dom (November 17, 2022). "Grand Prairie approves stadium redevelopment plan that could make the city a premier U.S. cricket destination". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Khan, Yusuf (July 26, 2023). "Major League Cricket Is Here—in a Minor-League Baseball Stadium". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  14. ^ Piellucci, Mike (November 15, 2022). "We Finally Have More Details on Cricket's Plan to Take Over North Texas". D Magazine. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  15. ^ Ben Swanger, Suzzane Crow (May 27, 2022). "Anurag Jain Wants to Make Dallas America's Cricket Capital". D Magazine. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  16. ^ Peter Della Penna (May 19, 2022). "Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Ross Perot Jr among investors committing $120 million to MLC". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  17. ^ Patel, Smit (March 16, 2023). "DC's GMR group, MI and CSK to run MLC franchises". Cricbuzz. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  18. ^ Smit Patel [@smit2592] (March 20, 2023). "On the stage stephen fleming, anurag jain, and kashi vishwanathan for the Texas Super Kings launch event @MLCricket @ChennaiIPL @TeamTexasMLC #MLC" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  19. ^ "Fleming to be Texas Super Kings coach in Major League Cricket in US as CSK announces partnership". The Times of India. March 22, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  20. ^ "Grand Prairie Major League Cricket Team Reveals Logo". gptx.org. April 26, 2023. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  21. ^ Peter Della Penna (February 3, 2023). "MLC set to launch with draft on March 19 at NASA's Johnson Space Center". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  22. ^ "Proteas duo to play in new US T20 league". SA Cricket Mag. March 20, 2023. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  23. ^ Naheed Rajwani-Dharsi (March 22, 2023). "Chicago's cricket players go national". Axios. Retrieved April 3, 2023.
  24. ^ "Conway, Santner, Rayudu reunite with coach Fleming at Texas Super Kings". ESPNcricinfo. June 15, 2023. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  25. ^ "MLC Teams Select Domestic Wildcard Picks". Major League Cricket. July 5, 2023. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  26. ^ Kishore, Shashank (July 8, 2023). "Ambati Rayudu withdraws from Major League Cricket stint with Texas Super Kings". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
  27. ^ Kuanal, James (July 12, 2023). "Texas Super Kings sign Imran Tahir after Ambati Rayudu withdraws from inaugural Major League Cricket". Sportskeeda. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
  28. ^ Rauterkus, Peter (July 13, 2023). "Major League Cricket lays strong foundation in Texas debut: 'Cricket's American dream'". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  29. ^ Peter Della Penna (July 14, 2023). "Texas brings the vibe and welcomes franchise cricket to America". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  30. ^ "Bravo heroics in vain as Freedom eke out small win". Cricbuzz. July 18, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  31. ^ "MLC 2023: Dwayne Bravo heroics not enough, Washington Freedom down Texas Super Kings". The Hindustan Times. July 17, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  32. ^ "Devon Conway stars in Texas Super Kings' 17-run win over MI New York". The Times of India. July 18, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  33. ^ "Major League Cricket: Seattle Orcas beat Texas Super Kings by 8 wickets". The Times of India. July 22, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  34. ^ "Parnell, de Kock lead TSK demolition". Cricbuzz. July 22, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  35. ^ "Texas Super Kings playing for a spot in the championship". FOX 4 KDFW. July 27, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  36. ^ Dart, Tom (July 30, 2023). "'This is an American league': Major League Cricket drops curtain on maiden campaign". The Guardian. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  37. ^ "MI New York edge Texas Super Kings to set up MLC final with Seattle Orcas". A Sports. July 29, 2023. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  38. ^ Gutierrez, Dominga (May 13, 2024). "Major League Cricket returns to Grand Prairie for 2024 season". NBC 5 DFW. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  39. ^ Roller, Matt (May 7, 2024). "MLC 2024 to begin on July 5, set for six-day clash with the Hundred". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  40. ^ Lavalette, Tristan (February 18, 2024). "Stars Return As America's Major League Cricket Builds On Stellar Launch". Forbes. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  41. ^ Roller, Matt (February 15, 2024). "MLC: Rashid, Klaasen, Pooran, Boult, Rauf among overseas players retained". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  42. ^ Patel, Smit (March 21, 2024). "MLC Domestic Draft: Hassan Khan, Joshua Tromp draw top dollars. Smit Patel unsold". Cricbuzz. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  43. ^ Hays, Nate (March 24, 2024). "The 2024 Major League Cricket Domestic Draft: low on hype, high on drama". Emerging Cricket. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  44. ^ Muthu, Deivarayan (March 22, 2024). "Texas Super Kings snap up Mitchell for MLC 2024, Shepherd goes to MI New York". ESPNcricinfo. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  45. ^ Patel, Smit (June 4, 2024). "Texas Super Kings rope in Marcus Stoinis for MLC Season 2". Cricbuzz. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  46. ^ Nair, Gokul (June 20, 2024). "Daryl Mitchell ruled out of MLC 2024 due to injury; Texas Super Kings announce Noor Ahmad as replacement". Sportskeeda. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
  47. ^ "@TexasSuperKings". Twitter. Retrieved June 15, 2023.
  48. ^ "Major league Cricket Points Table". ESPNCricinfo. February 6, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
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