Cricket

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar is set to inspire young athletes during his highly anticipated visit to Texas, where he will lead a special cricket clinic as part of the National Cricket League (NCL) finals weekend. The clinic, to be hosted at the University of Texas at Dallas, aims to motivate aspiring cricketers and promote the sport at the grassroots level in the U.S."Cricket has given me so much, and now it's my turn to give back," Tendulkar said ahead of the event slated for Sunday morning. "I'm excited to meet these young players and show them that with hard work and passion, anything is possible."In addition to the clinic, Tendulkar, who made waves with his recent appearance at the iconic TX-OU football game, will also be a special guest at the Dallas Cowboys game on Sunday, further highlighting his high-profile engagement in the U.S. sports scene.NCL Chairman Arun Agarwal emphasized the significance of Tendulkar's involvement: "This is about more than cricket -- it's about inspiring hope and dreams. Having someone of Sachin's caliber mentoring these kids is a game-changer."The NCL's finals weekend is more than just a cricket tournament. Alongside the matches, fans will enjoy cultural celebrations, live Bollywood performances, and nightly themes, ranging from honoring local heroes to promoting sustainability. The tournament will conclude on October 14 at UT Dallas.With Tendulkar's participation and the introduction of the innovative 60 Strikes format, designed to engage U.S. sports fans with a fast-paced version of cricket, the NCL is positioning itself as a key player in the growing popularity of cricket in America.The NCL has attracted top cricketing talent, with icons like Sunil Gavaskar, Wasim Akram, and Sir Vivian Richards mentoring players. This season also features stars like Shahid Afridi, Suresh Raina, Shakib Al Hasan, and Chris Lynn, making the NCL a premier event on the global cricket stage.Headquartered in Dallas, the National Cricket League USA is revolutionizing cricket in the U.S. with its innovative 'Sixty Strikes' format. The event is endorsed by the ICC and supported by SEE Holdings.

USA Cricket (USAC) has appointed Johnathan Atkeison as its new CEO, a move that fulfills one of two critical requirements set by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to avoid disqualification as an ICC Associate member.The ICC had earlier placed USAC "on notice" for not having a fit-for-purpose governance and administrative system. The other requirement for USAC to avoid disqualification is to have governance norms set by the US Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), which is necessary for it to earn the National Governing Body (NGB) status.Atkeison, who most recently served as the Chief Operating Officer of USA Rugby, has over 15 years of national governing body experience. He is credited for leading USA Rugby through a financial restructuring in 2020. His tenure as USAC CEO will start from August 1."I'm honored to join the team at USA Cricket. It's an incredible time for the sport here in the United States with the historic performance of the men's national team in the recent T20 World Cup, the completion of the second season of Major League Cricket, and the first opportunity to showcase cricket in the Olympics here on home soil during the LA28 games," Atkeison said in a media release."Our goal is to build a world-class organization to capitalize on that momentum, and firmly establish cricket's position in the American sporting landscape. The passion the cricket community has for the sport is amazing, and the enthusiasm is infectious. I can't wait to get started."Ahead of its AGM, the ICC circulated a note titled "Associate Member Membership Update" to all its members, wherein it noticed that USOPC had "expressed serious concerns" over the governance of USAC. It was the second time in the year that the ICC put USAC on notice and gave them 12 months to make rectifications."The board agreed that a normalisation committee comprising of board and management representatives will be set up to oversee and monitor USA Cricket's compliance roadmap and the ICC board will reserve its right to suspend or expel the member for continued non-compliance," the ICC had said in a statement after the AGM earlier this week.

The United States' triumph over Pakistan in the 2024 T20 World Cup has sent shockwaves through the cricketing world, highlighting the growing prowess of the American team. Despite cricket's relative obscurity in the US compared to its immense popularity in nations like England, the US team has made a resounding statement.Cricket, with its unique terminology and gameplay, shares some similarities with baseball, but the differences are significant. The purposeful bouncing of the ball by the pitcher and the scoring of runs through various means set cricket apart.This year's T20 World Cup has brought cricket to the forefront in the US, with matches taking place across New York, Texas, Florida, and the Caribbean. The US team, with a history dating back to the mid-19th century, is set to face India on Wednesday in Long Island, a match that is expected to draw a passionate crowd from the South Asian diaspora.Despite the anticipated support for India, the American team, comprising players with roots in cricket hotbeds such as India, Pakistan, South Africa, and the Caribbean, remains unfazed. Aaron Jones, the team's top batter, expressed excitement at the prospect of playing against the best in the world, including Indian stars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma."I think the crowd will be supporting both teams, to be honest," Jones said. "We have a lot of Indian players on our team as well. So, I think the crowd will be supporting both teams."The United States' victory against Pakistan was unexpected, but it has positioned them well in the tournament. A win against India would further solidify their standing, but even a loss would not eliminate them from contention. The team's focus remains on the match at hand, with the goal of advancing to the Super 8 stage of the competition."With cricket being one of the biggest sports in the world, it’s only a matter of time before the majority of people come on board as it relates to American born and raised people," Jones said. "I think America is a place where people love sports and obviously this World Cup is going to open the eyes of a lot of people, and then in a few years obviously with cricket being in the Olympics, that’s a very big thing as well."As cricket gains momentum in the United States, with its inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the establishment of the Major League Cricket professional circuit, the sport is poised for a resurgence in the country. The T20 World Cup serves as a platform to showcase the talent and potential of the US team, and their success could be instrumental in garnering support and enthusiasm for cricket among American-born and raised individuals.

In 2009, T20 cricket was gaining traction, with India's World T20 victory and the IPL's success. The second IPL season, held in South Africa, witnessed massive crowds, prompting Australian legend Matthew Hayden to predict T20's global expansion and inclusion in the Olympics.Over a decade later, Hayden's prophecy is materializing. The Indian cricket board's support has enabled the ICC to include T20 in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Before that, the format faces a test in the US, where 16 matches of the T20 World Cup will be played, including the India-Pakistan clash.US Cricket chairman Venu Pisike emphasizes the need for "high intensity" cricket to attract American audiences beyond the subcontinental diaspora. This has led to significant evolution in the format, with batting-friendly pitches, power-hitting becoming paramount, and strike rate and economy rate becoming key statistics.The recent IPL witnessed a batting frenzy, with eight 250-plus scores and a 261-run chase. However, the T20 World Cup may see a shift in focus, as the Super 8s, semis, and final will be played in the West Indies, where pitches have been less conducive to high-scoring matches.Bowlers welcome this potential slowdown, as they have been under pressure in recent months. Australian paceman Mitchell Starc believes the impact player rule's absence and slower pitches in the West Indies could limit high scores and give bowlers a greater role.Despite the potential for slower conditions, modern T20 batters have shown a willingness to attack regardless of circumstances. As the T20 World Cup unfolds, fans can expect a month of thrilling cricket, with the best spot on the couch being the most sought-after commodity.

Cricket, a sport once popular in America, is poised for a resurgence as the T20 World Cup brings the game to the United States. Sixteen of the 55 matches will be played in the country, with the aim of both introducing cricket to Americans and attracting financial support.The US recently defeated Bangladesh in a T20 series, marking the first time they have triumphed over a Test nation. Led by wicket-keeper Monank Patel, who played Under-19 cricket for Gujarat, the US team is generating excitement. The inaugural match will feature the US against Canada, a symbolic encounter as these countries played the first-ever international cricket match in 1844.However, cricket's history in America is complex. After the Civil War, baseball emerged as the dominant sport, leaving cricket to become a niche activity. Tom Melville, in his book "The Tented Field," attributes this shift to baseball's shorter, faster structure and alternating periods of excitement and dramatic pauses, which provided Americans with a cultural expression that cricket, with its traditional limitations, could not duplicate.Despite these challenges, the International Cricket Council (ICC) sees the US as a potential growth market. T20, with its shorter, quicker format, is seen as the ideal vehicle to attract American audiences. The ICC hopes to capitalize on the growing popularity of cricket among Indian immigrants in the US, who number around five million.However, relying solely on the expatriate community to popularize the sport may be unrealistic. To truly establish cricket in America, it must appeal to a broader audience. The ICC is aware of this and is working to promote the game among younger generations.The return of cricket to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028 provides another opportunity to showcase the sport to Americans. The T20 format is expected to be the preferred choice for the Olympics, further increasing its visibility.While the task of popularizing cricket in America is significant, the ICC is determined to succeed. The sport's potential financial benefits are undeniable, and the ICC is eager to reduce India's dominance in the cricketing world.

In the heart of New York City, a new era for cricket is dawning. The United States is set to co-host the Twenty20 World Cup, a major championship for the shortened format of the sport. This marks a significant moment for cricket in the US, which has traditionally been dominated by American football, basketball, and baseball.The temporary stadium, built in Long Island's Eisenhower Park, will host eight tournament matches, including the highly anticipated clash between India and Pakistan on June 9th. The International Cricket Council (ICC), the sport's governing body, has invested heavily in the stadium and the future of cricket in the US, particularly in the New York region.Despite the excitement surrounding the World Cup, local cricket in New York faces challenges. The sport lacks a dedicated stadium and infrastructure, with players often having to transport their own equipment from park to park. However, the ICC is committed to youth development and investing in the growth of cricket in the US.The Commonwealth Cricket League (CCL), the region's premier cricket grouping, is optimistic about the future of the sport. President Ajith Shetty believes that the World Cup will generate interest and help to secure the sport's future in the US.Major League Cricket (MLC), a professional league launched last year, has also made strides in promoting cricket in the US. New York fields a team in the MLC, but its matches are played in Texas and North Carolina due to cost constraints.The challenge now is to engage the next generation of cricket enthusiasts. Waqas Ashiq, a player for Long Island United CC, believes that involving the children of cricket-loving immigrants is crucial for the sport's long-term growth.With the World Cup approaching and the ICC's commitment to youth development, the future of cricket in the US looks promising. The sport has the potential to captivate a new audience and become a major force in the American sporting landscape.

The upcoming T20 World Cup in the United States is poised to ignite a surge in cricket awareness within the country. However, it is the allure of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics that is expected to truly captivate local Americans and propel the sport beyond its current expat-dominated status, according to USA Cricket chairman Venu Pisike.The United States, co-hosting the event with the West Indies, will make its World Cup debut against Canada on June 1. The team primarily comprises semi-professional cricketers of South Asian heritage, with former New Zealand star Corey Anderson also representing his adopted homeland. Former Indian first-class cricketer Milind Kumar and ex-India U-19 player Harmeet Singh are also part of the squad.Pisike acknowledges the challenges in popularizing cricket in the US, where it has largely been confined to expat communities. "With the marketing and promotion activities during the World Cup, there is some momentum, and the event will definitely boost opportunities to expand the game," he said.However, it is the prospect of cricket's inclusion in the Olympics that Pisike believes will have a transformative impact. "The Olympics is the prime area where all sports bodies are focusing on. That will actually give more opportunities to expand the sport between the World Cup and the Olympics."The World Cup will be played across three venues in the US, with the spotlight on the makeshift stadium in New York, where India and Pakistan will face off on June 9. The stadium, with a capacity of 34,000, is expected to be ready within a week, according to Pisike. "The pitches were recently brought in and dropped into the stadium. We are expecting decent pitches in terms of striking a balance between the bat and ball," he said.Post-World Cup, Pisike is seeking the assistance of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) for training and exposure opportunities for his players. "We have sent our men's team to Karnataka before they participated in the CWC qualifiers in 2022. There was some alliance with the Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and Andhra Cricket Association to send our under-19 boys before the World Cup in Sri Lanka," he said.Governance issues have plagued cricket in the US in the past, but Pisike assures that the current regime is fully compliant. "The governance will be streamlined with the opportunity to become an Olympic National Governing Body because the US Olympics requires certain guidelines to be followed and certain policies to be adopted," he said.

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.