Ponting named coach of Washington Freedom, MLC team

Ponting succeeds compatriot Greg Shipperd, who led Washington to a third-place finish in the U.S. team's inaugural six-man season teams. -T20 tournament based on last year.

The second edition of the tournament takes place in July.

"Cricket is really on the rise in the United States," said Ponting, 49.

"I have been impressed by everyone involved at Washington Freedom and, although it is a little surreal to replace my friend Greg Shipperd, there probably isn't - it's better to create a successful franchise."

Ponting is also the coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), which takes place every April. He has previously coached IPL side Mumbai Indians and had short-term T20 coaching stints with Australia.

The MLC is cricket's latest attempt to establish itself in the United States and has benefited from significant investment, notably from the IPL.

Owners of the four IPL clubs - Kolkata Knight Riders, Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings and Delhi Capitals - hold stakes in four of the six MLC teams , with the other two being supported by Australian state organizations Cricket New South Wales and Cricket Victoria.

The USA is also co-hosting this year's T20 World Cup with the West Indies from June 1-29.

West Indies keeper-batsman Nicholas Pooran reached an unbeaten century as MI New York beat Seattle Orcas by seven wickets to win the first Major League Cricket title last year.