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Would we see Virat Kohli and David Beckham in the US sharing the same cricket jersey? Especially, in Miami?   I would like to believe so, the Major League Cricket (MLC) which had its inaugural season in June 2023, featured 6 teams and individually, received funding from the likes of Satya Nadella, Ross Perot Jr., Anand Rajaraman, Shantanu Narayen, and more. The MLC will be aiming to use these funds to mainly build stadiums and first-class facilities in the hopes of accelerating cricket's development across the United States.   This is encouraging, as the country will co-host its first international cricketing tournament, in 2024, the T20 World Cup, followed by the Olympics 2028 featuring cricket. The long-term plan for integrating cricket in a country will be embraced, considering a majority population of cricket fans are not able to access live matches featuring well-known world-class players. Moreover, it is a new era of a sport that the anticipating stakeholders can integrate within too!   Focusing on David again, currently, there is no Miami franchisee in the MLC (because cricket is not popular there). Understanding his enthusiasm for spectator sports, especially after witnessing a semi-final World Cup match between India and New Zealand, he could be interested in MLC alike Inter Miami FC. Starting or co-creating a franchisee and drafting an athlete such as Kohli to the US, I think he could achieve such a milestone in the future. He knows that: 1.    Fans will travel and pay to watch cricket; 2.    Cricketers and their support personnel will be eager to test a new environment, especially those who do not get sufficient playing time; 3.    David and his sponsors could generate solid revenue with his stardom; 4.    The creation of a new franchisee will contribute to a wanting cricket ecosystem; and 5.    Allowing US cricket to potentially compete with other national teams for the International cricket tournaments in the future.   While writing this, a few broad thoughts came to my mind (which may not correlate). Mainly being, firstly, the applicability of betting and gambling in US cricket and MLC, secondly, the approach to captivating fans to purchase tickets and remain loyal throughout the seasons, thirdly, the legal understanding of a non-US talent management company contracting with US advertising companies, fourthly, the alignment of ICC and national cricket federations calendar with the MLC, and lastly, how does MLC enables a grassroots cricket environment within the US… these are the few thoughts that I had in mind, but I am excited for cricket in US. Let me know your views!

The Gentleman's Game Introduction Cricket, often referred to as the "gentleman's game," is a sport that has captured the hearts of millions around the world. Known for its rich history, complex rules, and unparalleled passion among fans, cricket is more than just a game; it's a way of life for many. In this article, we will explore the origins, evolution, and global significance of this beloved sport. The Origins of Cricket The roots of cricket can be traced back to 16th-century England. The game evolved from earlier bat-and-ball sports, with the first recorded game of cricket taking place in the mid-16th century. It quickly gained popularity, and cricket clubs began to form in the 17th century, solidifying the sport's place in English society. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) was established in 1787 and played a pivotal role in standardizing the rules of the game, giving rise to what is now known as "the Laws of Cricket." The Evolution of the Game Cricket has evolved significantly over the centuries, with several formats of the game taking shape. The most traditional and enduring form is Test cricket, which involves two teams competing over five days. It is widely considered the pinnacle of the sport and is cherished for its emphasis on strategy, patience, and technique. One-day cricket, introduced in the 1970s, condensed the game into a single day, making it more accessible to a broader audience. In 2003, Twenty20 (T20) cricket was introduced, bringing an even more fast-paced and explosive version of the game that has gained immense popularity, especially in the shortest format. Global Reach and Significance Cricket was initially confined to England, but it gradually spread across the British Empire. Today, it is one of the most popular sports in countries such as India, Pakistan, Australia, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, among others. The International Cricket Council (ICC) is the governing body for the sport, overseeing international competitions, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the ICC T20 World Cup, and several bilateral series between countries. Cricket has the power to unite nations and ignite passionate rivalries. Matches between India and Pakistan, known as the "Mother of All Battles," can attract hundreds of millions of viewers. The Ashes series between Australia and England is another example of the intense rivalries that cricket fosters. Cricket Legends Throughout its history, cricket has produced numerous legendary players. Sir Don Bradman, considered the greatest batsman of all time, is a name that resonates with cricket enthusiasts around the world. Other iconic figures like Sir Garfield Sobers, Sachin Tendulkar, and Sir Vivian Richards have left an indelible mark on the sport. #snsinstitutions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking

IF THE BIGGEST UPSET IN T20 CRICKET HISTORY OCCURS BUT NO ONE WATCHES, DID IT REALLY HAPPEN? The Biggest Upset in T20 Cricket History? Do you know when this happened? It was last week in the 2024 T20 World Cup. This win may be up there in the likes of Saudi Arabia beating Argentina in 2022 or Senegal beating France in 2002. BUT THE MAJOR DIFFERENCE? Despite the magnitude of the US team's victory over Pakistan, the historic match received surprisingly little mainstream media coverage and was difficult for fans to watch on television. In the United States, the match was broadcast exclusively on Willow TV, a niche cricket channel with limited reach. Many sports fans were unaware the game was even taking place, as major US media outlets like ESPN and Fox Sports did not report extensively on the T20 World Cup. Internationally, the match was overshadowed by other high-profile games and storylines during the tournament. With the US team still a relative minnow in world cricket, their triumph over Pakistan did not generate the same level of buzz as other upsets involving more established cricketing nations. "It's a shame that such an incredible achievement by the US team didn't get the attention it deserved," said cricket journalist Isabelle Westbury. "They pulled off a win that will go down in history, but many fans around the world missed out because the match wasn't widely televised or reported on." The lack of exposure highlights the ongoing challenges facing cricket in the United States Despite the national team's success, the sport continues to struggle for mainstream popularity and media coverage in the country. DISRUPTIVE PLAY –-> Cricket is not the only Sport to be challenged, with the NFL and NBA sucking up $200 Billion + in rights fees over the next 10 years, how can sports properties reimagine their future ?

Mr Smith goes to Washington. An American Revolution… In Cricket? By Tim Harcourt* In major cricket news, Australian champion batsman Steve Smith has signed to play T20 in America. That’s right in America, not India. Smith will play for the Washington Freedom franchise in the US capital, which happens to be coached by Australian great Ricky Ponting. Washington is one of six teams in the US T20 series, known as Major League Cricket, (MLC) which began in 2023. The Freedom finished third in the inaugural season, won by New York. The 2024 season will begin in July before the US co-hosts the T20 World Cup with the West Indies. A number of established cricket stars have been playing in the American league already, including Quinton de Kock of South Africa, Nicholas Pooran from the West Indies, Trent Boult from New Zealand and Australians Marcus Stoinis and Aaron Finch. So why the interest in the US all of a sudden? Firstly, it is because of the rising South Asian population in the United States who love their cricket. They are a growing and affluent professional community. Many South Asian immigrants to the USA (and Canada) are engineers, doctors and entrepreneurs with good educations and professional jobs. Indian-Americans are the most affluent group in America by median household income. In addition, South Asians, Indians, Sri Lankans and Pakistanis make up three out of the eight wealthiest segments. In addition, in terms of education 70 per cent of Indian Americans have at least a Bachelor’s degree, compared to the US average of 28 per cent   Secondly, Live streaming has taken off the entire world allowing Indians in the USA to watch India Premier League (IPL) games back home and Indians in India to live stream MLC matches. Thirdly, IPL franchises are creating clubs and leagues around the world in South Africa, UAE as well as the USA to grow the popularity of the sport and to attract talent to their respective franchises. It is not just the cricket boards of Australia, England & Wales and India calling the shots in terms of schedules; it is also the IPL franchises. So does Steve Smith’s signing indicate a cricket revolution? Does USA aspire to be a cricket nation? Probably not in terms of tests, but in the USA, the T20 form of the game is definitely appealing. In addition, the USA has the winds of change from that other great English speaking democracy, India, firmly in its sails, so we may see more cricketers than just Mr Smith heading to Washington.     *Professor Tim Harcourt is chief economist at the Centre for Sport, Business and Society (CSBS), University of Technology Sydney. He also hosts Footynomics – The Economics of Sport www.footynomics.com.au Do you want to study Sports Management at UTS? Check it out at: https://lnkd.in/gy-jM2hW

Mr Smith goes to Washington. An American Revolution… In Cricket? By Tim Harcourt* In major cricket news, Australian champion batsman Steve Smith has signed to play T20 in America. That’s right in America, not India. Smith will play for the Washington Freedom franchise in the US capital, which happens to be coached by Australian great Ricky Ponting. Washington is one of six teams in the US T20 series, known as Major League Cricket, (MLC) which began in 2023. The Freedom finished third in the inaugural season, won by New York. The 2024 season will begin in July before the US co-hosts the T20 World Cup with the West Indies. A number of established cricket stars have been playing in the American league already, including Quinton de Kock of South Africa, Nicholas Pooran from the West Indies, Trent Boult from New Zealand and Australians Marcus Stoinis and Aaron Finch. So why the interest in the US all of a sudden? Firstly, it is because of the rising South Asian population in the United States who love their cricket. They are a growing and affluent professional community. Many South Asian immigrants to the USA (and Canada) are engineers, doctors and entrepreneurs with good educations and professional jobs. Indian-Americans are the most affluent group in America by median household income. In addition, South Asians, Indians, Sri Lankans and Pakistanis make up three out of the eight wealthiest segments. In addition, in terms of education 70 per cent of Indian Americans have at least a Bachelor’s degree, compared to the US average of 28 per cent. A lot of this affluence is therefore ploughed into supporting local cricket leagues in the USA and watching the MLC. Secondly, Live streaming has taken off the entire world allowing Indians in the USA to watch India Premier League (IPL) games back home and Indians in India to live stream MLC matches. Thirdly, IPL franchises are creating clubs and leagues around the world in South Africa, UAE as well as the USA to grow the popularity of the sport and to attract talent to their respective franchises. It is not just the cricket boards of Australia, England & Wales and India calling the shots in terms of schedules; it is also the IPL franchises. So does Steve Smith’s signing indicate a cricket revolution? Does USA aspire to be a cricket nation? Probably not in terms of tests, but in the USA, the T20 form of the game is definitely appealing. In addition, the USA has the winds of change from that other great English speaking democracy, India, firmly in its sails, so we may see more cricketers than just Mr Smith heading to Washington. *Professor Tim Harcourt is chief economist at the Centre for Sport, Business and Society (CSBS), University of Technology Sydney. He also hosts Footynomics – The Economics of Sport www.footynomics.com.au Do you want to study Sports Management at UTS? Check it out at: https://lnkd.in/gaQH8WKQ

The sport of cricket has a known history beginning in the late 16th century England. It became an established sport in the country in the 18th century and developed globally in the 19th and 20th centuries. International matches have been played since the 19th-century and formal Test cricket matches are considered to date from 1877. Cricket is the world's second most popular spectator sport after association football (soccer).[1] First Grand Match of Cricket Played by Members of the Royal Amateur Society on Hampton Court Green, August 3rd, 1836 Internationally, cricket is governed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which has over one hundred countries and territories in membership although only twelve currently play Test cricket. The game's rules are defined in the "Laws of cricket". The game has various formats, ranging from T-10(Ten-10) played in around 90 minutes to Test matches which can last up to five days. Cricket was created during Saxon or Norman times by children living in the Weald, an area of dense woodlands and clearings in south-east England that lies across Kent and Sussex.[2] The first definite written reference is from the end of the 16th century. There have been several speculations about the game's origins, including some that it was created in France or Flanders. The earliest of these speculative references is from 1300 and concerns the future King Edward II playing at "creag and other games" in both Westminster and Newenden. It has been suggested that "creag" was an Old English word for cricket, but expert opinion is that it was an early spelling of "craic", meaning "fun and games in general".[3] It is generally believed that cricket survived as a children's game for many generations before it was increasingly taken up by adults around the beginning of the 17th century. Possibly cricket was derived from bowls, assuming bowls is the older sport, by the intervention of a batsman trying to stop the ball from reaching its target by hitting it away. Playing on sheep-grazed land or in clearings, the original implements may have been a matted lump of sheep's wool (or even a stone or a small lump of wood) as the ball; a stick or a crook or another farm tool as the bat; and a stool or a tree stump or a gate (e.g., a wicket gate) as the wicked.[4] #snsinstitutions #snsdesignthinkers #designthinking

Cricket takes center stage in USA with 2024 T20 World Cup and Major League Cricket The 2024 ICC T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies promises to be a landmark event, spotlighting cricket's ambition to establish a foothold in the American sports landscape. The tournament kicks off with a dramatic win for the USA against Canada, highlighted by Aaron Jones's spectacular sixes in Dallas. This edition features 20 teams and spans multiple venues, including key matches in Texas, New York, and Florida, aiming to captivate both diaspora communities and mainstream American sports fans. The India vs. Pakistan clash in New York's temporary Nassau County International Cricket Stadium drew massive attention, underscoring the potential for cricket to resonate beyond its traditional base. This World Cup is part of a broader strategy to globalize cricket, with initiatives like Major League Cricket (MLC) playing a crucial role. MLC, backed by significant investors and IPL franchises, aims to make cricket a semi-mainstream sport in the US. The league's success, particularly with these teams is vital for maintaining interest and growth. The involvement of influential figures and the establishment of developmental leagues underscore the commitment to building a sustainable cricket ecosystem in America. This year's Major League Cricket is even bigger, with some of the biggest cricketing stars signing multi-year contracts with various franchises. Some of the most notable names include Pat Cummins, Travis Head, Glenn Maxwell, Lockie Ferguson, Rachin Ravindra, Steve Smith, Andre Russell, Kieron Pollard, and Rashid Khan, just to name a few. Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 LA Olympics is another strategic move to enhance its global presence, potentially generating significant revenue and increasing visibility. This T20 World Cup, therefore, serves as both a high-profile showcase and a critical step towards integrating cricket into the US sports culture. The vibrant fan engagement and impressive performances are expected to leave a lasting impact, setting the stage for cricket's expanded role in the international sports arena. To read more about this, click the link: https://lnkd.in/di9dupnq #T20WorldCup #WeAreUSACricket #CricketForAll #MLC2024 #TeamUSA

Cricket: From Small-town England to a Worldwide Icon Did you know that the Cricket World Cup is being co-hosted in the USA and the West Indies?  “No!” What about the fact that the U.S. not only has a team participating in the tournament, but that they beat Pakistan, one of the greats at the sport?   “Read something about that.” Well you have to have heard that cricket is being included in the Olympic Games after a 128 year hiatus.  “Nah, hadn’t heard that either.” Okay, let’s take a step back and take it from the beginning.   With the establishment of the Marylebone Cricket Club in 1787, cricket transitioned from a rural pastime in 16th-century England to a recognized sport in the 18th century. The first international cricket matches and the growth of county cricket took off in the 19th century. The 20th century saw the globalization of cricket thanks to the ICC, ODIs, and the World Cup. Innovations such as the T20 format, IPL, and DRS technology were introduced in the 21st century. International appeal for cricket has increased due to the growth of women's cricket. Today, there are an estimated 2.5 billion cricket fans worldwide, mostly in South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, England, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and the West Indies. Global viewership for major events like the IPL and the ICC Cricket World Cup reaches hundreds of millions of people.  The highly anticipated match between India and Pakistan is “expected to be watched by more than 400 million people. For context, 2024's Super Bowl LVIII between the San Francisco 49ers and Kansas City Chiefs attracted around 125million viewers.”  - Wikipedia The Future of Cricket: Cricket's on the cusp of Olympic glory in 2028 LA! But a dedicated US fanbase is key. The ongoing T20 World Cup acts as the perfect launchpad. This action-packed format with international stars is unlike anything American sports fans have seen. Witnessing Team USA battle cricketing giants like Pakistan and winning can spark a newfound love for the sport's strategy and skill. This World Cup isn't just about the game; it's a cultural exchange, introducing vibrant traditions and passionate supporters. A successful T20 World Cup can ignite American cricket fandom, paving the way for a roaring Olympic debut and a bright future for the sport in the USA. The players may not be household names here in the US - Yet, but I have a feeling that will change because of this tournament and the 2028 Olympics.  We have outlined the top 10 cricket players in the graphic. 

https://lnkd.in/dvkTkfYA Extracts A national cricket team that most Americans didn’t even know they had beat one of the sport’s global powers Pakistan, for whom the game is a national obsession The triumph Thursday in the T20 World Cup – a global tournament using a shortened, three-hour version of a game that can last five days and still end in a draw – shocked the cricketing world Cricket briefly flickered into US consciousness as the result popped up on news sites in a rare moment for a sport that lives in obscurity in the United States outside the South Asian and Caribbean communities “Beating Pakistan in the World Cup is going to open many doors for us,” said USA Cricket captain Monank Patel in Texas, where the game took place in a converted minor league baseball park Corey Anderson, who represented New Zealand internationally and now plays for the US team, told CNN he got hundreds of text messages after the win Cricket faces huge barriers to becoming anything more than a curiosity to most Americans. But the US victory over Pakistan is exactly what global cricket chiefs hoped for when bringing some of this year’s T20 World Cup to the United States, which is co-hosting along with islands in the Caribbean, a more traditional hotbed of the game America’s most famous cricket victory on Thursday tells a story about the changing demographic mix in the United States. Cricket’s new Field of Dreams in Nassau County is testimony to a dynamic and highly educated South Asian community that is becoming increasingly prosperous and connected in US business and society and politically more important The diaspora is sizable, and they clearly have connections to (India) … the most populous nation in the world,” said Simon Chadwick, a professor specializing in the geopolitical economy of sport at SKEMA, a global business school. “You’ve got a large diaspora, a large country. You’ve got a sport that has proved to be commercially incredibly successful The T20 World Cup games in the United States also reflect one of the most dynamic new realities in the multi-billion-dollar market of global sports. This is the shift in power away from traditional sports administrators and marketplaces like the United Kingdom and Europe to rising countries in the Middle East and South Asia Elite US cricket is dominated by players of South Asian or Caribbean descent. The bowler in the super over – overtime play after the match against Pakistan – was Saurabh Netravalkar, a left-arm fast bowler who played Under-19s for India and now works in the tech industry in California. Milind Kumar, the outfielder who pulled off a spectacular catch (cricketers use their bare hands not mitts) was born in New Delhi The question now is whether the USA’s stunning win will trigger a rush of interest from outside the South Asian diaspora

World Cup was a milestone for cricket’s global ambitions: The T20 World Cup concluded with a classic thriller of a final, with India crowned champions on Saturday, but the tournament may also go down as a milestone for a game which is keen to expand its global footprint. With the decision to increase the size of the tournament to 20 teams and to play part of the group stage in the USA, the International Cricket Council (ICC) saw this World Cup as a vehicle for expansion of the sport’s popularity. More teams from emerging cricket nations were given a chance to perform on the global stage and Americans were offered the opportunity to engage with a sport far from their mainstream. There were risks to such a strategy — the smaller associate nation teams needed to be competitive and not just cannon fodder and the very limited cricket facilities in the USA needed to be upgraded and in some cases created from scratch. On both fronts, the tournament can be considered to have been a success, albeit a qualified one. Certainly, the associate nations made their presence felt right from the opening game at Grand Prairie Stadium near Dallas where the USA beat Canada in a pulsating match. It is hard to imagine any marketing and promotion campaign that could better the impact of the USA upsetting Pakistan, a result creating a completely new level of awareness of the sport in the country. No-one who witnessed Nepal’s effervescent performances and their large and passionate fans could doubt they were a welcome presence on the big stage. “I think it has had a huge impact on associate teams. We didn’t expect to see the USA in the Super Eights… that win over Pakistan… it showed they weren’t here just to make up numbers,” said former West Indies captain Chris Gayle, who was an ambassador for the tournament. “You look at Nepal and Papua New Guinea and you see (a World Cup) can uplift a nation and help develop their cricket,” he added. ‘Pathway’ While Afghanistan have long left behind minnow-status, their run to the last four, including a memorable win over Australia, was a clear sign of where the pathway can lead for emerging teams. Organisers made it clear before the tournament that they weren’t expecting to ‘break’ the US market and convert NFL fans into cricket lovers but had more modest and achievable goals. The aim was simply to pique the curiosity in cricket among Americans and certainly the sport raised it’s profile while remaining very much a small niche sport in the bigger picture. The ICC also wanted to engage directly with the South Asian immigrant communities who make up the active core of cricket lovers in the USA and offer them a rare chance to see the international game in person. The sight of 35,000 packed into a temporary stadium near Long Island, New York, to watch rivals India and Pakistan, showed that was a worthwhile strategy. But there were issues…