Cricket has long been a beloved sport on Long Island, with the Cricket World Cup showcasing a match between Pakistan and India. However, it is the Staten Island Cricket Club that stands out as the oldest continuously active cricket club in America. This club was founded in 1872 by British Wall Street traders and has been thriving for over 150 years. The club remains diverse, with members from various backgrounds and has hosted legendary players such as Don Bradman and Garry Sobers.
The Staten Island Cricket Club continues to organize matches on weekends and has a youth program to promote the sport. The club’s president, 94-year-old Clarence Modeste, highlights the importance of the spirit of the game and the emphasis on sportsmanship. The social aspect of cricket is crucial at SICC, where traditional matches that can last all day encourage camaraderie and connection among players. Modeste, who joined the club in 1961, believes in the significance of playing the game and enjoying the company of fellow cricketers.
The club boasts around 50 members from various countries, including India, Pakistan, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States. The camaraderie among members is a significant aspect of the club, with socializing after matches being a key part of the cricket experience. The traditional cricket rules followed at SICC differ from the T20 matches that are faster and higher-scoring. The emphasis on the social aspect of the game creates a unique environment for players to enjoy cricket both on and off the field.
Cricket, like baseball, involves scoring runs and utilizing wooden bats and cork-and-leather balls. However, cricket has its distinct features, such as a circular playing field, 11 players per team, and bowlers instead of pitchers. Each team plays until they get 50 overs, and missed bowled balls result in an over. The game continues until all outs are completed. Despite its popularity worldwide, cricket remains a fringe sport in the United States, with an estimated 30 million fans across the country, and increasing numbers due to immigration from cricket-playing countries.
The growth of cricket in the United States has been steadily increasing, with an estimated 200,000 people playing the sport today compared to 20,000 in the 1990s. This growth is attributed to the influx of immigrants from cricket-playing countries who bring their love for the game to the US. The upcoming matches on Long Island featuring teams from South Africa, India, the Netherlands, and Pakistan showcase the expanding reach of cricket in the US. Clarence Modeste, a longtime member of SICC, expresses excitement at the growing presence of cricket in the country and the upcoming matches that highlight the sport’s popularity and inclusivity.
The Staten Island Cricket Club represents a longstanding tradition of cricket in the United States, with a diverse membership base and a commitment to upholding the spirit of the game. As cricket continues to gain popularity in the US, clubs like SICC play a crucial role in preserving the sport’s heritage and providing a welcoming environment for players of all backgrounds. The camaraderie and sportsmanship fostered at SICC reflect the true essence of cricket as a game that transcends boundaries and brings people together through a shared love for the sport.
