Results
Wikipedia - San Francisco Unicorns
The San Francisco Unicorns are an American professional Twenty20 cricket team based in San Francisco, California, that competes in Major League Cricket (MLC). In 2023, it was announced as one of the six teams to participate in the league's inaugural season. The team is owned by Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, co-founders of Cambrian ventures.
The team's planned home ground is at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds. The stadium is expected to have a capacity of 15,000 people. The team currently plays at Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas. In March 2023, Cricket Victoria announced their partnership with the Unicorns for the opening season.
History
Cricket has been growing steadily in San Jose, thanks to cricket clubs like the Northern California Cricket Alliance. Looking at these growing numbers, the county supervisors have been planning to build a stadium in the Santa Clara Fairgrounds. The Unicorns' minor league affiliate are the Bay Blazers, which competes in MLC's developmental league Minor League Cricket.
In March 2023, the team ownership, name, and logo was unveiled prior to the inaugural MLC domestic draft. The team is owned by Anand Rajaraman and Venky Harinarayan, and the team partnered with the Australia's Cricket Victoria for the first season. Justin Gaele, MLC tournament director emphasizing about the Unicorns, told that the Bay Area could serve as the launchpad for cricket in the United States.
2023 season
The Unicorns signed the first overseas player signed in the inaugural MLC — Australian international Aaron Finch. He was subsequently announced as the captain. Corey Anderson, Liam Plunkett, Tajinder Singh and Smit Patel were prominent names picked in the domestic round of the draft; Marcus Stoinis was also announced as another overseas signing by the Unicorns. In May 2023, the team announced direct signing of South African pacer, Lungi Ngidi. On June 20, 2023, Unicorns announced former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson as their head coach for the 2023 season.
The team finished fifth in the tournament, winning just two of their five league matches. They were tied on points with the MI New York, but could not advance to the play-offs due to their negative net run arte.
2024 season
In December 2023, it was announced that the second season of the tournament would begin on July 4, 2024, four days after the conclusion of the 2024 ICC Men's T20 World Cup. The date was later moved to July 5.
On February 15, 2024, the retained overseas players' Harris Rauf and Finn Allen Retained. On March 1, 2024, the domestic player retention list was announced. Corey Anderson Liam Plunkett, Carmi le Roux, Brody Couch, Sanjay Krishnamurthi were among the domestic players that were retained.
The domestic players' draft was virtually held on March 21, 2024, with a total of 20 players being picked by the teams over 10 rounds. An additional draft is scheduled for June 16 in order for teams to complete their squads.
Hassan Khan, Tajinder Singh ,Karima Gore and Jahmar Hamilton were prominent names picked in the domestic round of the draft.
Matthew Short, Jake Fraser-McGurk, Matt Henry and Josh Inglis were also announced as direct overseas signing by the Unicorns for their second season.
In June 2024, the team announced direct signing of Australia Test and ODI skipper Pat Cummins. After signing a four-year contract with the team, Cummins is expected to fill in the leadership vacuum at the Unicorns after Aaron Finch's retirement.He was subsequently announced as the captain.
Pat Cummins has signed a four-year contract with San Francisco Unicorns, becoming one of the highest-profile players on the roster of a Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise.
With a commitment to excellence, the team competes at both local and national levels, showcasing a blend of seasoned professionals and emerging talent. The Unicorns are recognized for their distinctive playing style, characterized by aggressive batting, strategic bowling, and agile fielding, all underpinned by a strong team ethos.
Off the field, the San Francisco Unicorns are dedicated to community engagement and the promotion of cricket as a sport for all. They host clinics, workshops, and outreach programs aimed at inspiring the next generation of cricketers, fostering a love for the game, and building a supportive cricketing community.
The team's colors, a vibrant mix of purple and gold, reflect their unique identity and commitment to standing out both on and off the pitch. With a passionate fan base and a vision for growth, the San Francisco Unicorns are not just a cricket team; they are a movement, celebrating the magic of cricket in the heart of one of the world's most iconic cities.