The delay will also allow time for the AirHogs Stadium facility in Dallas to be renovated before it becomes one of the six venues for MLC in two years time, ESPNcricinfo reports.

There are 29 investors in MLC, with the list consisting of business executives and technology entrepreneurs from companies including Google, Microsoft and Facebook.

Microsoft chief executive Satya Nadella, Paytm founder Vijay Sharma and Adobe chief executive Shantanu Narayen are among those involved.

Exhibition matches for MLC could still take place in 2022 before the first full season the next year with six teams.

USA Cricket is targeting the acquisition or upgrade of six wicket venues to be operational for MLC by 2025.

In October, USA Cricket launched a foundational plan - which it hopes will make cricket a major sport in the country by the end of the decade.

There is also the potential for cricket to be included on the programme for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, with the powerful Board of Control for Cricket in India saying it will support a bid and the International Cricket Council canvassing members over how Olympic inclusion could benefit them.

USA Cricket separately announced the creation of four new turf wicket facilities and plans to launch senior and under-19 women's national competitions at its Annual General Meeting (AGM).

The AGM was held on YouTube.

USA Cricket Board chairman Paraag Marathe also hailed the membership drive launched in early 2021, which has brought the total number of members from 723 to "approximately 20,000" according to the chairman, per ESPNcricinfo.