Steve Smith, one of cricket's greatest ever batters, has signed with Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket.

What happened?

He will play under legendary Australia batter Ricky Ponting, who will coach a Freedom side that lost in last season's playoffs to eventual champions MI New York.

Smith was unable to play in MLC's splashy opening season due to Australia's Ashes tour of England, but he has been confirmed in the upcoming second edition.

Why it matters for Steve Smith

The 34-year-old remains one of cricket's headliners and biggest names, adding to the gravitas of the MLC, which has had more than $100 million invested.

He has an apartment in New York and notably spent some time there during his year-long suspension for cheating in 2018.

What comes next?

Smith will link up with World Cup-winning teammates Travis Head and explosive batter Glenn Maxwell.

The MLC has smartly partnered with two of cricket's powerhouses, Australia and India, to make inroads into the world's biggest sports market.

Cricket New South Wales, Smith's home state, has a "strategic" partnership with the Freedom franchise.

Smith's long-held dream of playing in the US is about to be realized, with the MLC's second edition set to start in July 2024.

He has been quoted as saying "The U.S. has been a market that cricket’s been trying to get into for some time. So yeah, I think it’d be interesting to see how it goes" in 2022.

The MLC has had a successful debut season, with over 100,000 fans attending the matches, and Smith's participation is expected to boost the tournament's popularity.

The Washington Freedom team is owned by a group of investors, including Indian businessmen, who are looking to make a mark in the US sports market.

Smith's signing is a significant coup for the MLC, which is looking to establish itself as a major player in the world of cricket.

The tournament will feature six teams, including the Washington Freedom, MI New York, and Los Angeles Knight Riders.

The MLC has a big salary cap, which has allowed the teams to attract top players from around the world.

Smith's participation in the MLC is expected to be a major draw for fans, who will be eager to see him in action.

The tournament will be played in the summer of 2024, with the exact dates to be announced soon.