Cricket, a sport with complex rules and quirky fielding positions, is not widely popular in the United States, making the upcoming Twenty20 World Cup co-hosted by the US and the Caribbean an intriguing event. In the mid-19th century, cricket thrived in cities like New York and Philadelphia, with the first international match played in the US in 1844. However, the rise of baseball during the Civil War era led to a decline in cricket’s popularity, shifting its stronghold to British colonies in Asia and the Caribbean.
Despite its waning popularity, cricket is experiencing a resurgence in the US through the T20 format. Major League Cricket was established last year, and the International Cricket Council aims to tap into the American market with the upcoming T20 World Cup and its return to the Olympic program for the Los Angeles Games in 2028. The commitment to grow cricket in the US is evident, with an estimated 30 million cricket fans already present in the country, according to the global governing body for the sport.
Historical evidence suggests that cricket has a long-standing presence in the US, dating back to the early 18th century. Figures like William Byrd and Benjamin Franklin are noted to have played the sport, with George Washington’s troops engaging in cricket-like games in the late 1700s. Despite anti-English sentiments post-American Revolution, cricket continued to be played in various states by numerous clubs until the mid-1800s, when baseball took over as the dominant bat-and-ball game in the country.
There is ongoing debate about the connection between baseball and cricket, with some arguing for a common lineage and others highlighting distinct differences. Both sports have influenced each other, evident in shared terminology like “pinch-hitter” and “innings.” While baseball has adopted certain aspects from cricket, such as overarm throwing and spin on the ball, cricket has evolved towards shorter, more aggressive formats like Twenty20 and The Hundred in England, allowing for more attacking play styles akin to baseball’s sluggers.
The comparison between cricket’s sixes and baseball’s home runs highlights the power-hitting aspect of both sports, appealing to spectators looking for boundary-clearing shots. The integration of technology like Hawkeye in cricket and the adaptation to shorter formats reflect the changing landscape of both sports. With cricket making a comeback in the US through leagues like Major League Cricket and the upcoming T20 World Cup, there is potential for the sport to gain ground and attract a new audience in the country.
