Posted on: 28-01-09 20:18:58
Being a die hard fan of cricket, I just thought of bringing up this topic for open discussion. We all know that Canada and US has got their own national cricket teams. But these two nations had repeatedly failed to establish itself in international cricket in spite of the having an excellent sports infrastructure compared with many other nations. Still worse, the US national cricket team didn't even participate in many International Cups.
I understand that cricket is not a popular sport in North America. One reason I could think of is that the weather in most parts of North America (excluding Southern US) is not conducive for playing cricket. Other reasons include lack of cricket grounds, funds, sponsors and training. Though there are so many multi-millionaire immigrants in North America from cricket playing nations, no one seems to be interested in reviving the sport. They just remain nostalgic about the sport and do nothing about it.
It seems like Major League Cricket, or MLC, is the only company dedicated to running a profitable professional cricket competition within the United States, as well as developing and promoting the sport to raise its profile in North America.
Reference http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Cricket
Being a land of immigrants, North America has got a huge potential to put together a cricket team comprising of players from different cricket playing nations and with good funding/training/practice, they could very well take the world of cricket by storm.
North American states like British Colombia, California, Florida, Texas, Arizona and Nevada remain sunny for most parts of the year and could be used as base to build spectacular cricket grounds there by creating ample employment opportunities across North America. These cricket grounds will turn into a money spinner during international cricket events due to the wide range of cricket enthusiasts available across the eastern world.
North American corporations could very well endorse international cricket (ex. Wal-Mart World Cup, AT&T Triangular Series) there by creating a market for their products in cricket playing nations. On the other hand, the cricket playing nations will be benefited by the ad revenues from these corporations (a perfect Win/Win situation). In short, cricket can be used as a bridge to connect the economies of the Western and Eastern worlds.
According to me, there's a huge potential for cricket lying untapped across North America.
nah...this is just my point of view and I hope you don't take offense but no one in North America gives a rat's ass about this sport. Who has 5 days to watch a test match? Who has 1 day for that matter? I know they tailored something for the North Americans but I am not sure if that ever really took off?
This might have already been thought of...but one way to start is to host some international matches in USA. There used to be a triangular series here in Toronto and I did go to one in 98...but then it got canned.
Weather should not be an issue. There are many indoor stadiums here that could be leased.
Basically the sport has to be more geared towards booze, tailgate parties to satisfy the fat-f#$ks in NA and also the image of Cricket has to move a little away from its "gentleman's" roots...maybe....
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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher
Quote:
Originally posted by blorean
nah...this is just my point of view and I hope you don't take offense but no one in North America gives a rat's ass about this sport. Who has 5 days to watch a test match? Who has 1 day for that matter? I know they tailored something for the North Americans but I am not sure if that ever really took off?
Basically the sport has to be more geared towards booze, tailgate parties to satisfy the fat-f#$ks in NA and also the image of Cricket has to move a little away from its "gentleman's" roots...maybe....
I agree.
The game of cricket is not meant for the typical beer-guzzling, chicken wings hogging, skimpy cheerleader dancing, American public.
I hate to see cricket degenerate to this levels.
I would much rather prefer for cricket to retain it's classical charm rather than make it more popular.
We are already down to 20-20 formats, what's next - 10-10?
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"Mah deah, there is much more money to be made in the destruction of civilization than in building it up."
-- Rhett Butler in "Gone with the Wind"
I see that the English, Australians, New Zelanders and South Africans enjoy this sport in a great fashion. Their stadiums have a section that has just grass and I love how spectators lounge there witht beer and bask in the sun. That's a great way to enjoy cricket. And crowds are not rowdy...
Someday I wish to watch a county match that way....
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If you have a gun, you can rob a bank.
If you have a bank, you can rob everyone.
- Bill Maher
