'We want to show that USA can...': How baseball-dominated country aims to leave lasting mark in T20 World Cup 2024

NEW DELHI: The United States of America (USA) are set to make their inaugural appearance in the T20 World Cup. Although they secured their spot as co-hosts alongside the West Indies, the team is resolute in proving their ability to compete with the top-tier nations.
Cricket's history in North America is intriguing, with the first international match taking place between the USA and Canada in 1844.However, as baseball gained popularity, the influence of the colonial-era game diminished.

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Since 1965, the USA has been an associate member of the International Cricket Council, regularly participating in tournaments for non-Test nations.
Despite this, they have never featured in either the T20 or ODI World Cup, with their sole appearance in a major tournament being the 2004 Champions Trophy, where they suffered decisive defeats against New Zealand and Australia in the group stage.
In recent years, grassroots participation has increased, with thriving local leagues and the T20 format being utilized to develop a stronger foundation.
Minor League Cricket and Major League Cricket have emerged in the past few years, although it is premature for these structures to have significantly impacted the national team. However, the team has become increasingly competitive through the strategic use of qualification criteria.

Under the guidance of Australian coach Stuart Law, the team enters the tournament following a 2-1 T20I series victory over Bangladesh, instilling genuine confidence within the squad. The Americans won the first two games before resting several key starters to provide opportunities for their backup players.
The USA, led by captain Monank Patel, will face formidable opponents India and Pakistan, as well as Ireland and Canada, in the group stage.
The inclusion of former New Zealand all-rounder Corey Anderson has brought World Cup experience and top-class quality to the squad. Anderson moved to the USA in 2020, playing domestic cricket, and was able to switch in 2022 due to the 'four year rule' applicable in such cases.
Vice-captain Aaron Jones, born in New York but raised playing cricket in Barbados, emphasizes the American team's determination to make a statement in the tournament. "We want to show everybody in the world that USA can actually be a cricketing country and obviously be role models for the kids coming up," he said.
Jones, one of several players with experience playing cricket outside the USA, has been impressed by the standard of associate-level nations. He added, "It's just about getting the opportunity and obviously grasping that opportunity. Afghanistan is a really good team right now and they came through from associate. Ireland obviously came from associate. So the opportunity is there and we just need to really and truly take it and showcase our talent to the world."

Coach Law has been working with a core group of players, including pace bowler Ali Khan, who grew up in Pakistan and has played in the Caribbean Premier League, left-arm spinner Harmeet Singh, who represented India in the Under-19 World Cup in 2012, and Miami-born Steven Taylor, who has extensive experience in Caribbean cricket.
Jones, persuaded by Taylor to join the USA team, dismisses any notion that the USA is merely participating to make up the numbers. "We want to win games. We want to bring as much competition as any other team in the tournament," he said.
The shortest format of the game allows for more surprises, and Jones believes his team is capable of delivering them. "We are a very good team. Obviously, we showed that against Bangladesh, one of the best teams in the world," he said. "I wouldn't call it an upset if we beat Pakistan or India. I will just say that we played better cricket on the day. It is a game of cricket. The bigger teams can lose as well."
(Inputs from AFP)