From participating in Division 5 of the World Cricket League (WCL) in 2010 to their surprising journey at the T20 World Cup 2024, the USA cricket team has undergone remarkable transformations. Co-hosting the tournament, they stunned Pakistan in the group stage and secured a spot in the Super Eight alongside South Africa, England, and West Indies. Reflecting on their journey over the past two decades reveals significant milestones:
In 2004, the USA made their mark by qualifying for the Champions Trophy after winning the ICC Six Nations Challenge, with Clayton Lambert’s stellar performance leading the charge.
By 2007, the Central Broward Stadium in Florida was constructed, though internal disputes led to the suspension of the USA Cricket Association by the ICC.
In 2010, despite beating Scotland in the T20 World Cup Qualifier, the USA faltered against Afghanistan and Ireland, marking their debut in the tournament. They also hosted their inaugural T20 Internationals, drawing 1-1 with Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
From 2012 to 2016, the USA faced setbacks, missing out on qualifying for successive T20 World Cups.
In 2015, the ICC suspended USACA again due to governance issues, coinciding with the Cricket All Stars tour that brought legends like Sachin Tendulkar and Shane Warne to play in the USA.
In 2017, USACA’s expulsion led to the establishment of USA Cricket, aiming to improve governance and management.
2018 saw a breakthrough as the USA clinched promotion to Division Two after defeating Singapore in the ICC World Cricket League.
By 2019, the ICC reinstated the USA, granting them Associate status. They secured ODI status with a third-place finish in Division Two, propelled by Xavier Marshall’s century.
The launch of Major League Cricket (MLC) was planned in 2019, with operations delayed to 2023 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In 2020, ACE acquired AirHogs Stadium in Texas, preparing for enhanced player recruitment and Major League Cricket initiatives.
2021 marked a historic T20I victory over Ireland, their first against a Full Member nation.
Major League Cricket (MLC) finally commenced in 2023, with MI New York emerging victorious in its inaugural season, backed by substantial investments.
In 2024, ahead of the T20 World Cup, the USA defeated Bangladesh in a series and continued their surprising run by defeating Canada and Pakistan, securing a place in the Super Eight.
The USA cricket team’s journey exemplifies resilience, strategic growth, and significant achievements in global cricketing arenas over the past two decades.
