The group stage of the ICC T20 World Cup is over and eight teams have advanced into the next round. The Super 8 stage has India, Australia, England, Afghanistan, South Africa, West Indies, Bangladesh and the USA cricket team in contention.
The pleasant surprise that the T20 World Cup 2024 has thrown is the rise of the USA cricket team.
The 17th ranked USA Cricket team chanced upon playing the T20 World Cup only as a co-host. They were in contention for the first time in such a big stage.
From Minnows To Giant Killers…The USA Cricket Team Has Dream Run
The team kicked-off the tournament by winning against Canada in the opening match. However, the real stimulation came when they handed a rude shock to Pakistan by beating them in a thrilling super over, in one of the major upsets of the tournament so far.
The USA team was only defeated by India in the group stage, while its match against Ireland was abandoned due to rain.
“I think it’s a big thing for us… And not only for us, but for fans around America as well. We really appreciate them for sure. And, not only for the fans, but for the younger generation in America as well, it is really good”, USA captain Aaron Jones said after sailing into the Super 8 round.
The USA cricket team played their first international match in 2004 against New Zealand in London. In 2019, the team was granted an associate member status by the International Cricket Council (ICC).
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The USA entered the T20 World cup as an underdog. Most of the players in the USA squad are part-timers, pursuing other professional careers. But the way they have owned the field is heart-warming.
“There’s a couple that do just play cricket. Corey Anderson‘s been around for a long time and he plays a bit of franchise cricket now. Andries Gous does the same. There are a lot of guys who do part-time work. There’s a couple that are full-time employed as well, who have to take their leave to come and represent USA in a World Cup, said USA coach Stuart Law.
The USA Cricket team has been a force to reckon with. With its progress into the second leg of the tournament, the host has automatically qualified for the next edition of the T20 World Cup that is the ICC T20 World Cup 2026.
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The exemplary performance shown by the USA team is sure to create waves for the game in the country. Americans have begun to show interest in the sports which once they had little enthusiasm about. This is good news for cricket!
