Steve Smith ‘has held secret talks with US Major League Cricket over 2024 switch’

Steve Smith could join a new cricket competition in the United States after he reportedly held secret talks over a move next year. 

The former Australia captain, 33, has previously said it would be ‘pretty cool’ to end his career Stateside, due to the fact he and his wife, Dani, have made New York their second home. 

A new competition is hitting the United States – titled US Major League Cricket – and its co-founder Sameer Mehta has told News Corp that Smith is one of a number of Australian cricketers they are trying to recruit. 

‘We’ve been in touch with Steve about his plans and what he’s thinking,’ Mr Mehta said.

‘What he’d love to do at some point is play cricket in the US as his schedule permits.’

The 33-year-old is eyeing a mega-money move Stateside and has been in talks with backers

He had previously said it would be ‘pretty cool’ to play in the US, where has a home in New York

‘His view was that if he could make it work and if we could make it work – I know this season, he has commitments. I don’t know what the Australian calendar is next year but I believe there is enough space for him to potentially play.’

Next year’s T20 World Cup is to be staged in the US and West Indies, which could open a window for Smith to feature in the local T20 tournament. 

Mehta added that he would like Smith to play a major role in the US domestic minor league in a bid to help develop youth and high performance programs in the US.  

‘Long-term … our view is that we might see a lot of him in the US,’ he said.

‘Steve would be someone that we would target very heavily. If he’s here, we’d ask him to turn out.’

A number of high-profile investors are getting behind the new competition in the US, including Microsoft boss Satya Nardella and Bollywood legend Shah Rukh Khan – who also owns IPL franchise Kolkata Knight Riders.