Cricket

In a thrilling encounter at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, Texas Super Kings captain Faf du Plessis's blistering start was abruptly halted by a stunning one-handed catch from San Francisco Unicorns counterpart Corey Anderson.After Finn Allen's century (101 off 53) propelled the Unicorns to a formidable 200 for 6, du Plessis unleashed a fiery response, smashing 45 off 22 balls. However, just as he threatened to seize control of the chase, Anderson's brilliance at mid-off extinguished his hopes.In the fifth over, Carmi le Roux's delivery found the toe-end of du Plessis's bat, sending the ball soaring towards Anderson. With lightning reflexes, the former New Zealand allrounder extended his left hand and plucked the ball out of the air, landing gracefully before kicking it in celebration.The catch proved pivotal as the Unicorns held on to win by a narrow margin of 10 runs. Despite unbeaten half-centuries from Devon Conway (62* off 38) and Joshua Trump (56* off 36), the Super Kings fell short of their target.Anderson's catch not only ended du Plessis's innings but also became one of the defining moments of the 2024 Major League Cricket season. His athleticism and skill showcased the high level of competition in the league, which is rapidly gaining popularity in the United States.The Unicorns will now face Washington Freedom in the title match on July 29, while the Super Kings will look to regroup and improve their performance in the upcoming season.

In a thrilling Major League Cricket 2024 encounter at the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas, the San Francisco Unicorns emerged victorious over the defending champions MI New York by a narrow margin of 3 runs.The Unicorns, batting first, faced an early setback, losing five wickets for just 33 runs. However, skipper Corey Anderson and Hassan Khan steadied the innings with an 87-run partnership. Anderson remained unbeaten on 59 off 37 balls, while Khan contributed 44 off 35.MI New York's bowling attack was led by Nosthush Kenjige and Trent Boult, who claimed two wickets each. Romario Shepherd and Rashid Khan also chipped in with one wicket apiece.In response, MI New York lost Ruben Clinton for a duck, but Dewald Brevis and Nicholas Pooran put on a 77-run stand for the second wicket. Brevis scored a quickfire 56 off 36 balls before being dismissed.The Unicorns bowlers, led by Brody Couch and Matthew Short, who shared five wickets between them, kept the pressure on MI New York. Haris Rauf and Hassan Khan also contributed with one wicket each.As the match reached its climax, MI New York needed 20 runs off the final over bowled by Haris Rauf. Heath Richards hit the penultimate ball for a six, leaving 4 runs needed off the last ball. However, Rauf dismissed Richards with a full-length delivery, trapping him plumb in front.Richards did not review the decision, and the Unicorns secured a thrilling victory. The win propelled them to second place in the points table, while MI New York suffered their fourth loss of the season.With just one game remaining, MI New York faces an uphill battle to qualify for the playoffs. They must not only defeat the Knight Riders in their must-win encounter but also do so by a significant margin.

The United States cricket team's remarkable journey at the T20 World Cup came to an end in the Super 8 stage, but the team's performance has left a lasting impression. Despite facing formidable opponents like South Africa, West Indies, and England, the USA held their own and gained valuable experience.Corey Anderson, a New Zealand-born batter who now represents the USA, expressed pride in his team's accomplishments. "We're signing off with our heads held high," he said. "We've learned a lot, and the sky's the limit for us."Anderson acknowledged areas for improvement, particularly in player depth and consistency. "We're still an Associate nation, but we're growing and trying to expand our player pool," he said.The USA's success in the group stage, where they defeated Pakistan and gave India a run for their money, was a testament to their potential. However, in the Super 8s, the team faced a step up in competition."The bigger boys start to really show up and they're hitting their stride right at the back end of this competition," Anderson explained. "We don't get to play against these big teams often, so every opportunity is invaluable."Despite the setbacks, Anderson believes the team has made significant progress. "We're disappointed, but we're also proud of what we've achieved," he said. "We're starting to be disappointed about how we play against these big teams, and that's a great sign because it means we can give more."Anderson, who has played 93 games for New Zealand, acknowledged his own lackluster performance during the tournament. "I needed to play better than what I did," he said. "I missed out on opportunities that could have helped the team."The USA team is a diverse group of players with West Indian, Indian, and Pakistani origins. One of their standout performers was Indian-origin pacer Saurabh Netravalkar, who balances his cricket career with a full-time job as a software engineer.The team's performance at the T20 World Cup has raised the profile of cricket in the United States and inspired future generations of players. "Hopefully, in years to come, we can continue to grow the game in America," Anderson said.

The United States cricket team is set to make its debut in the T20 World Cup, determined to prove its mettle against the cricketing giants. Despite its limited history in the sport, the USA has steadily gained momentum through grassroots participation and strategic use of qualification criteria.Coached by Australian Stuart Law, the team enters the tournament with confidence after a 2-1 T20I series win over Bangladesh. The Americans showcased their potential by winning the opening two games before resting key players to provide opportunities for their backups.Captained by Monank Patel, the USA will face formidable opponents in India, Pakistan, Ireland, and Canada in the group stage. The addition of former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson has brought World Cup experience and top-class quality to the squad.Vice-captain Aaron Jones, a New York native who grew up playing in Barbados, emphasizes the team's determination to make a statement. "We want to show everybody in the world that USA can actually be a cricketing country and obviously be role models for the kids coming up," he said.Jones acknowledges the progress made by associate nations like Afghanistan and Ireland, highlighting the opportunity for the USA to showcase its talent. Coach Law has assembled a core of players with diverse backgrounds, including pace bowler Ali Khan from Pakistan and left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh from India.Despite being newcomers to the T20 World Cup, the USA team rejects the notion of being mere participants. "We want to win games. We want to bring as much competition as any other team in the tournament," said Jones.The unpredictable nature of the T20 format provides opportunities for upsets, and Jones believes his team is capable of delivering surprises. "We are a very good team. Obviously we showed that against Bangladesh, one of the best teams in the world," he said. "I wouldn't call it an upset if we beat Pakistan or India. I will just say that we played better cricket on the day."

In a historic triumph, the United States cricket team has secured their maiden T20I series victory against Bangladesh, marking a significant milestone in their cricketing journey. The Americans sealed the series with a thrilling six-run win in the second match at the Prairie View Cricket Complex.Chasing a modest target of 144, Bangladesh's batters struggled to find their rhythm on an unfamiliar surface. Left-arm pacer Saurabh Netravalkar struck early, dismissing Soumya Sarkar for a golden duck. Tanzid Hasan followed suit, falling to Jessy Singh for 19.Captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and Towhid Hridoy provided some stability with a 48-run partnership, but their progress was halted by a moment of brilliance from Corey Anderson. The former New Zealand international charged towards the stumps after a mix-up between the batters, resulting in Shanto's dismissal for 36.Anderson's impact continued as he rattled Hridoy's stumps an over later, triggering a collapse that saw Bangladesh lose wickets at regular intervals. Shakib Al Hasan led the fight, but the wickets kept falling at the other end.With 21 runs needed off the final three overs, Rishad Hossain raised hopes of a comeback with a boundary. However, Ali Khan maintained his composure and removed Hossain to bundle out Bangladesh for 138.Earlier, USA skipper Monank Patel led the charge with a 42-run knock. Steven Taylor and Aaron Jones also made valuable contributions with scores of 31 and 35, respectively, propelling USA to a competitive total of 144/7.This victory marks a significant achievement for USA cricket, demonstrating their growing strength and potential on the international stage. The series win is a testament to the team's hard work, dedication, and the support of their passionate fans.

Corey Anderson, a former New Zealand international, has been named in the USA squad for the 2024 T20 World Cup. Anderson, who represented New Zealand in the 2015 ODI World Cup and the 2014 and 2016 T20 World Cups, will now don the USA jersey for the upcoming tournament.The USA squad also includes Ali Khan, who has experience playing in various T20 leagues worldwide, and Shayan Jahangir, who has represented USA in 12 ODIs. Gajanand Singh and Usman Rafiq have been dropped from the squad that recently defeated Canada in a five-match T20I series.Monank Patel and Aaron Jones, who captained and vice-captained the team against Canada, have retained their positions. Patel was USA's leading run-scorer in that series, while Harmeet Singh and Shadley Van Schalkwyk were the top wicket-takers.Anderson, who has played in T20 leagues around the world, will bring valuable experience to the USA team. He has scored over 2,000 runs and taken over 100 wickets in T20 cricket. Khan, despite limited T20I experience, has played in the Caribbean Premier League, Pakistan Super League, and International League T20.Jahangir, who began his career in Pakistan, has played 12 ODIs for USA. His inclusion adds depth to the team's batting lineup.USA will open the T20 World Cup against Canada in Dallas on June 1. The tournament will be co-hosted by the USA and the West Indies.

USA's Corey Anderson and Nitish Kumar led their team to a 4-0 series sweep over Canada in the T20I series, with a thrilling four-wicket victory at Prairie View.Chasing 169, USA faced an early setback, losing three wickets for just nine runs. However, Anderson and Kumar steadied the innings with a 104-run partnership. Anderson, in his second match for USA, anchored the chase with a 48-ball 55, including two sixes and six fours. Kumar was more aggressive, scoring a 38-ball 64 with four sixes and four fours.After Anderson's dismissal, Nitish and Shadley van Schalkwyk fell in quick succession. But Harmeet Singh and Nisarg Patel calmly guided USA to victory in the final over.For Canada, Harsh Thaker was the standout performer, scoring 38 runs and taking two wickets. Other batters made starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores.Canada's innings was characterized by a series of partnerships, with no batter able to dominate. Thaker's 24-ball 38, which included three sixes, was the highest individual score.Despite Canada's efforts, USA's bowling attack proved too strong. Rishiv Joshi dismissed Andries Gous with the second ball of the innings, while Saad Bin Zafar removed Aaron Jones and Gajanand Singh in the second over.However, Anderson and Kumar's partnership proved decisive, as USA once again demonstrated their superiority over Canada in the series.

The United States Cricket Team (USACT) has unveiled its 15-man squad for the upcoming five-match T20I series against Canada, with former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson as a notable inclusion. Anderson, 33, last represented New Zealand in 2018 and has since been aiming to qualify for his adopted country.Monank Patel will continue to lead the USACT, with Aaron Jones serving as vice-captain. The series holds significant importance for the team as it prepares for the T20 World Cup, which they will co-host with the West Indies in June.Despite Patel's statement about new players joining the squad, the majority of the team consists of experienced individuals. Anderson, who played 13 Tests, 49 ODIs, and 31 T20Is for New Zealand, brings a wealth of knowledge to the side. He was also part of the New Zealand team that reached the final of the 2015 World Cup.Other notable players in the squad include Gajanand Singh, Jessy Singh, Steven Taylor, Nisarg Patel, Noshtush Kenjige, Saurabh Netravalkar, and Usman Rafiq. While some players like Andries Gous, Harmeet Singh, Nitish Kumar, Milind Kumar, and Shadley van Schalkwyk have not played international cricket, they possess significant first-class and T20 experience.South Africa-born wicketkeeper-batter Gous, who relocated to the USA in 2021, will be eligible to play for the team in April, making him available for the T20 World Cup. He has played 60 first-class games, 57 List-A matches, and 46 T20s, including a stint with Abu Dhabi Knight Riders in the ILT20.The matches against Canada will be played at the Prairie View Cricket Complex, with the USACT arriving on April 1 to begin preparations. Both Canada and the USA are in Group A of the T20 World Cup, along with India, Ireland, and Pakistan. They will face each other in the tournament opener on June 2 in Dallas, Texas.