Australian all-rounder Glenn Maxwell and former captain Steve Waugh are among the franchise owners in Europe’s new Twenty20 league, which will begin in August after two false starts.
The founders of the European T20 Premier League (ETPL) are supported by the Cricket Boards of Ireland, Scotland and the Netherlands and approved by the governing International Cricket Council.
includes Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan.
Cricket great Steve Waugh, left, Bollywood star Abhishek Bachchan and hockey champion Jamie Dwyer.Credit: AFR
“Europe is not known for cricket,” Bachchan said in Sydney, where they unveiled the owners of three teams, including an Amsterdam franchise owned by a group that includes Waugh and Jamie Dwyer, the five-time International Hockey Federation player of the year.
“This is an opportunity to create a huge cricketing ecosystem in and around Europe. With the ETPL, we hope to bring the magic of cricketing euphoria to mainland Europe.”
Maxwell co-owns the Belfast franchise, while former New Zealand internationals Nathan McCullum and Kyle Mills bought the side from Edinburgh.
The ICC has 33 members in Europe, the majority from all continents, including full members England and Ireland. Scotland and the Netherlands have played in the World Cup, while Italy will make their T20 World Cup debut next month.
Team Owner: Glenn Maxwell.Credit: Getty Images
“Italy’s World Cup qualification indicates Europe’s interest in cricket and cricket’s participation in the 2028 Olympics is another boost for Europe,” Bachchan said. “We hope to make the ETPL one of the best T20 leagues in the world.”
Waugh hoped the Amsterdam franchise would inspire more kids to take up the games.
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