Cricket has some followers in the U.S., but does not enjoy the level of popularity it has in other places, such as New Zealand and England. That could change following an agreement solidified in late 2010 between the governing bodies for the sport in the U.S. and New Zealand to promote the game here.
Governing Body
The United States of America Cricket Association, commonly called USA Cricket, is the governing body for the sport in the U.S. The association hosts the national cricket competitions held in this country. It also sponsors the U.S. cricket team that competes in international competitions that are sanctioned by the International Cricket Council.
Future of USA Cricket
In December 2010 USA Cricket and New Zealand Cricket announced a partnership formed to promote cricket within the U.S. This partnership created Cricket Holdings America LLC. This body will hold a majority of the commercial rights to cricket and will enable a franchise-based Twenty20 cricket league. Such leagues exist in England, Australia, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and Sri Lanka. The agreement also commits New Zealand to play matches within the U.S. The aim is to grow the game at grass roots and elite levels and to attract private investors to cricket within the U.S., according to the International Cricket Council.
USA Cricket Rules
USA Cricket uses the same rules as the Marylebone Cricket Club. This club has been the sole authority for cricket laws and amendments since it was formed in 1787. The last major modification to these laws occurred in 2000, when a preamble that defines the spirit of cricket was added. The laws, however, remain largely the same as those originally adopted.
USA Cricket Organization
The USA Cricket Association is divided into seven regions. The West encompasses Alaska, Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona, Idaho, Hawaii, Utah and Nevada. The Southeast encompasses Georgia, Florida and North and South Carolina as well as Puerto Rico. The Northeast includes Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and New Hampshire. The Central West consists of Arkansas, Nebraska, North and South Dakota, Oklahoma, Texas, Colorado, Wyoming, Mississippi, New Mexico and Louisiana. The Central East is Kentucky, Tennessee, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Michigan, Kansas, Ohio, Alabama and Wisconsin. The Atlantic includes Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Washington D.C., West Virginia and Virginia. New York stands alone as its own region.
International Play
If you want to play for the USA Cricket national team, in most cases you must work your way up the chain. The path goes like this: Play for a club team, then a league team, then a regional team. Then you may be eligible for national team selection. However, national team selectors sometimes pluck players from outside this traditional path. You join the lower-level teams through the seven regional bodies within USA Cricket.
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