‘T20 World Cup will spread awareness’, says USA Cricket chairman cricket news

USA Cricket President Venu Pisike believes the T20 World Cup will spread much-needed cricket awareness in the United States, but ultimately, it is the allure of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics that will draw local Americans to the game in the main way. Mostly played by migrants. , The United States is co-hosting the event with the West Indies and the US team will also make its World Cup debut when it takes on neighbors Canada in the tournament’s opening match on June 1.

The team is composed primarily of semi-professional cricketers of South Asian heritage, with former New Zealand star Corey Anderson also switching allegiance to his adopted homeland the USA. Former Indian first-class cricketer Milind Kumar and former India Under-19 player Harmeet Singh are also part of the squad.

Speaking to PTI, Pisike agreed that taking cricket to the masses in the US is a big challenge.

“Until now, cricket has primarily been a game of expatriates, but with the marketing and promotional activities during the World Cup, there has been some momentum and the World Cup will certainly boost opportunities for the game to expand in the United States,” Pisicka said. Will give.”

“Obviously, the World Cup is bringing a lot of awareness and then cricket getting the opportunity to be in the Olympics, that will definitely attract the community because America is a big sports country.

“The Olympics is a key area where all sporting bodies are focusing on because cricket is going to the Olympics, which will really give more opportunities to expand the game between the World Cup and the Olympics.”

New York will be ready in a week

The World Cup will be played across three venues in the United States, but the facility that is being closely monitored is in New York where India and Pakistan will face each other on June 9.

India will also play Ireland and the United States in a 34,000-capacity temporary stadium at Eisenhower Park. Drop-in pitches have been imported from Australia.

Pisike said, the stadium will be ready in a week.

Referring to the construction work that has recently begun, he said, “So, the new stadium that is being built in New York will be unveiled within a week. It will become a wonder of cricket infrastructure in a very short time.” Will go.” In January.

“The pitches were recently brought and pitched at the stadium. So, we are expecting good pitches in terms of the balance between bat and ball.”

Considering long term cooperation with BCCI after World Cup

The United States did not train in India due to the World Cup being held at home, but Pisci is seeking help from the BCCI for the training and performance of his players after the mega event.

“Yes definitely (we are talking to the BCCI). In the past, we had sent our men’s team to Karnataka before participating in the CWC Qualifier in 2022. And there are some tie-ups with the associations, Tamil Nadu Cricket Association and Andhra Cricket Association Was to send his Under-19 boys ahead of the World Cup to be held in Sri Lanka.

“There are a number of discussions taking place with different cricket associations and we would definitely like to partner with them and utilize the resources available to them. And that is something we will definitely consider in the future.” The BCCI recently made it clear that affiliates cannot contact state units directly and all requests will have to be routed through the parent body.

Stable governance is a challenge but we are in compliance now

The previous cricket body in the United States was suspended by the ICC due to governance issues and the current regime was recognized in 2019. Pisicke acknowledged the challenges on that front.

“Governance will be streamlined with the opportunity to become the Olympic National Governing Body as the U.S. Olympics are required to follow certain guidelines and adopt certain policies.

“In terms of financial management and other related activities, we are in full compliance as compared to the previous arrangement,” he said.

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