Another Australian star joins Washington Freedom for USA's MLC 2024

All-rounder Glenn Maxwell becomes the third Australian to sign for Washington Freedom for the upcoming 2024 season of Major League Cricket (MLC).

He joins batters Travis Head and Steven Smith along with his former IPL coach Ricky Ponting, at Washington Freedom.

While talking to ESPN's Around the Wicket, he is relishing of playing cricket in the United States.

"It's a tournament that I watched from afar last year and was extremely excited about hopefully playing this tournament one day and luckily enough the timings have aligned this year," Maxwell said. "I've been speaking to Ricky Ponting and a few other players a fair bit over the last little period and certainly extremely excited to get stuck in.

"Having Travis and Steve there and Ricky, three guys who I'm extremely familiar with, I think that sort of probably tipped me over the edge," he added.

There are many other Australians - Adam Zampa (Los Angeles Knight Riders), Spencer Johnson (Knight Riders), Tim David (MI New York), Matt Short (San Franciso Unicorns) and Jake Fraser-McGurk (San Franciso Unicorns) - as confirmed signings for the second edition slated to start after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup.

Meanwhile, Maxwell has clarified his decision to request omission from RCB's line-up for the last IPL 2024 match against Sunrisers Hyderabad.

He stressed that it was not about needing an extended break from the tournament but simply felt he was not capable of be in the playing XI.

"I was pretty low on confidence," Maxwell said. "I had a good couple of net sessions and just went out to the ground and felt really tentative. I wasn't able to really commit to my game plans and just felt like if I had kept playing and playing that role, I don't think the results would change too much.

"I felt really at peace with it. Obviously, I'm frustrated that I wasn't able to get the results I would have liked but comfortable in the fact that I know I feel like I've made the right decision for the team and it's certainly not like I'm taking an extended break away from the game.

"I just think it's a better opportunity for someone else to have a crack at my position. I know I'm an important part of this side but at the moment I'm not playing well enough to I suppose warrant a spot."

Maxwell disclosed he is recovering from a minor hip injury and won't return for RCB against Kolkata Knight Riders on Sunday.