US cricket is rising. After beating Pakistan and pushing India, the Americans have reached the last eight of the T20 World Cup. On Sunday, they play England.
The success comes at a time of vast growth for American cricket. The US, the co-host of the tournament, launched a professional league last year and added T20 cricket to the 2028 Olympics in LA.
Long regarded as an oxymoron, cricket in America is being powered by serious financial backers. Its domestic championship, Major League Cricket, has secured investment from the CEO of Microsoft and the owners of four teams from the Indian Premier League, cricket’s sporting and commercial behemoth.
American cricket might only be emerging, but it is already a threat to the game in England. The US league clashes with the English season, and many stars – English and foreign – are choosing to play in America over Albion.
Last year, World Cup winner Jason Roy exchanged his England contract for one in Major League Cricket.
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