Whoever heard of the Americans playing cricket! However it now seems that they do want to and it is perhaps the effect of
Twenty20 cricket that international cricket is now being seen as an exciting, fast paced, happening game that is increasing its visibility and therefore popularity across the world. So perhaps international cricket may soon see a new entrant into its ranks if the cricket news reports from the United States are to be believed; and that is the United States of America.
The US faces this particular problem because of the high number of immigrants it has, with those who are Green card holders, have a work visa or other temporary permit etc., whereas other international cricket playing nations do not face a similar problem. Cricket playing nations such as Australia, India, South Africa, England and Pakistan do not have this problem as the players are all either born in their respective counties or are naturalized citizens.
England for instance has and has had several players in the national cricket team who are born elsewhere; in other countries. For instance former captain Kevin Pietersen was born in South Africa but is now a citizen of the county.
However there are some unclear issues as regard player eligibility in the ICC rules for which Cricket USA has sought clarification. Since the rules have changed over the years this clarification has been sought. "We want to make sure we have a program and protocol in place that is acceptable to everyone concerned," said Lockerbie, CEO of Cricket USA, who seems to be keen to take the game forward in America, hitherto a baseball crazy nation who thought of cricket only as being a noisy insect.
The Americans would like to follow the rules laid down by the ICC and avoid the pitfalls of ‘tourist players’ or what are known as ‘gunslingers’ who visit the country for a short period to play and then are seen no more of.
There was an indication from Cricket USA that there are American living in other countries who now want to return to the US and represent the US and play cricket. Since these players who have lived abroad and played for other counties will return bringing with them a fund of knowledge, know-how and cricket experience, they would be desirable to be part of the team. Doubtless then that Cricket USA wants clarity on the matter of who can play and who cannot!
