Anderson, 29, represented his country 93 times across all formats and made the second-fastest century in ODI history against West Indies in 2014, a feat that led to an IPL stint with Mumbai Indians
Corey Anderson has left New Zealand cricket after accepting a deal to become part of the USA’s Major League Cricket venture.
He has signed a three-year contract with the franchise-led T20 competition, which – it is hoped – will begin in 2022.
It was announced last month that the Knight Riders Group, which owns teams in the Indian Premier League and Caribbean Premier League, has invested in the tournament.
Anderson, 29, represented New Zealand 93 times across all formats and made the second-fastest century in ODI history against West Indies in 2014, a feat that led to an IPL stint with Mumbai Indians.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, he said: “It hasn’t been an easy decision. I asked myself several questions. What do I want to do now or what do I want to achieve in the next two years, five years, 10 years? As you get older you think about life a little bit more broadly as well.”
Anderson, who last represented New Zealand in 2018 and has been beset by injuries in recent years, has spent much of 2020 in Texas, where his fiancée is based.
USA Cricket takes huge step forward in achieving American dream
“She’s had a massive part to play in that because she’s sacrificed so much for me, by moving to New Zealand, getting immersed in a different culture there and, and supporting me through a lot of tough times with injuries and time out of cricket,” he added.
“So, when the opportunity arose, we thought that living in America is the best thing, not only for my cricket, but it’s, it's the best thing for both of us in general as well.”
He has not played since taking part in the CPL through August with Barbados Tridents; he had been due to join Somerset for last season’s T20 Blast only for the Covid-19 pandemic to see that arrangement cancelled.
His signing represents the latest piece of business for Major League Cricket’s ambitious plans; former Pakistan batsman Sami Aslam and ex-South Africa off-spinner Dane Piedt have also agreed terms.
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