CBS Sports picks up deal to air Major League Cricket games this summer

Major League Cricket has announced a partnership with CBS Sports to air games of the American league’s inaugural season.

The Texas Super Kings took on the LA Knight Riders this week on opening night of the competition, and soon the league’s stars will be showcased on television in the USA.

Beginning from July 17, when the Texas Super Kings face MI New York, games will air live on CBS Sports with a full broadcast team.

‘Major League Cricket showcases the very best players from the world’s second most popular sport playing right here in America,’ Major League Cricket co-founder Vijay Srinivasan said.

‘Billions of fans worldwide love this sport and we’re delighted to bring adrenaline-packed matches taking place this July in front of sold-out crowds in Texas and North Carolina to the wide audience CBS Sports Network reaches.’

America’s Ali Khan (left) was given the huge moment of bowling the first ball of the league 

Fans watch on as Milind Kumar stops the ball at the boundary during the game on Thursday

The network’s broadcast team will not feature any American voices, though longtime cricket fans will likely recognize some of the names coming to CBS Sports.

Former South Africa captain Graeme Smith is one of the broadcasters, along with Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar and ex-New Zealand international Danny Morrison.

Former Zimbabwe international Mpumelelo Mbangwa, South African broadcaster Natalie Germanos, Welsh announcer Alan Wilkins and Barbadian Nikhil Uttamchandani will also be involved.

There are six teams in the league, including representatives from San Francisco, Washington and Seattle as well.

On Saturday, the San Francisco Unicorns will play the Seattle Orcas before the Super Kings face the Washington Freedom the next day.

The Knight Riders will also face MI New York on Sunday. 

Games will be played over the next two weeks in Grand Prairie, Texas and Morrisville, North Carolina.