Impressive Beginnings
The Bangladesh Cricket Team reached the Unites States of America early in preparation for the T20 World Cup and played out a 3 Match series with Team USA. A strong Bangladesh Unit was looking to get their batters a good outing, expecting to run over an associate member. However, the results were staggering. Team USA surprised the Bangladeshis, dealt them a hammering and won the series 2-1, with Bangladesh getting a consolation win in the last match. A refreshing cocktail of cricketers from the Indian sub-continent and the once feared hard-hitting all-rounder Corey Anderson from New Zealand, Team USA has made people stand up and take note.
USA & Cricket : An Age Old Relationship
Cricket, is not new to America and was developing in the 19th century much as in England and Australia. However, as cricket expanded from elite clubs to the locals in the UK and Down Under and started gaining momentum as a professional sport, in America it stayed confined to its amateur status. It is said that even George Washington was a strong supporter of Cricket in the USA, but the emergence of Baseball ( a close cousin of Cricket ) pushed cricket out of reckoning. Baseball gained ground and soon became a sport widely followed and played in America. The Americans are mighty Baseball followers and have raised the sport to a ‘ Cult’ Status alongside Basketball and Rugby.
A Prolonged Hiatus Disrupted
With Cricket having its footprints in America, the hosting of the T20 World Cup is a major step in bringing the sport back to life after a prolonged hiatus and the Americans have managed, in my opinion, a good side.
Team USA & It’s Collective Strength
Team USA is led by Monank Patel ( hailing from Anand in Gujarat ), a fine wicket-keeper batter and is ably supported by Steven Taylor and Aaron James, not to mention Corey Anderson who has the ability to single handedly turn games. Harmeet Singh from Mumbai is another fine all-rounder who can not only hit the ball long but can also bowl some fine left arm orthodox. Ali Khan from Punjab, Pakistan and Saurabh Netravalkar from Mumbai are capable quick bowling options. Taking a holistic view Team USA is a decent outfit and though I do not foresee any major upsets from them ( notwithstanding their performance against Bangladesh ), they may pose a few problems to some fancied oppositions
The World Cup Begins
USA are in Group A alongside India, Pakistan, Canada and Ireland and would play the inaugural match of the ICC T20 Cricket World Cup against Canada, a few hours from now. The venue being the Grand Prairie Stadium in Dallas.
Uncle Sam has picked up the Cricket Bat and is ready for a mighty ‘Swing’.
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