America Needs a Lords

May 15, 2023

Welcome to Twenty Two Yards, a weekly newsletter celebrating cricket's culture and characters.

In this issue:

  • Cricket Stadiums in shambles

  • Schubman Gill is on a roll

  • Jofra gets paid

Estimated read ⏰: 6 mins

America Needs a Lords

Credit: Patrick Eager/Popperfoto / Contributor

Ask anyone about the growth of cricket in the USA, and you'll be met with a confused look and a snicker. The hope and money are there, but the stadiums are not.

This doesn't bode well, considering Cricket West Indies and the USA are set to host the 2024 T20 World Cup.

Dr Atul Rai, the former interim chairman of USA Cricket until April 2023, told News18 in India:

"We don't have any existing facilities, so it's up to the ICC whether they will invest money in some makeshift venue and even host some games. But it's a very tough situation."

Dr Atul Rai,

But really, how bad can the American stadiums be compared to the world's biggest cricket markets?

India
Having been dubbed India's "ugliest" cricket stadium, Arun Jaitley Stadium has seen a lot of cricket since 1883, but it's in desperate need of a makeover. Thankfully, it's one of five stadiums finalised for renovations before the 2023 World Cup. Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium is crying for help too.

Nepal
Cricket fans watched in awe as Nepal qualified for the World Cup at the Tribhuvan University Ground, but it was initially meant for football - and almost all the facilities from its first international cricket event in 1998 remain the same.

Pakistan
The dwindling number of spectators at National Bank Cricket Arena Karachi is primarily due to the stadium failing to "meet the basic requirements of a world-class venue, such as comfortable seating, ample parking space, and hygienic washroom facilities," says the Green Team's Rohaan Hussain.

Australia
Completed in 2000, Australia's Marvel Stadium has hosted several international cricket matches, but despite planned upgrades, it still needs help with 'embarrassing' pitch conditions. Is there a superhero with the power of lawn care?

If you build it, they will come
These stadiums aren't just concrete structures but modern town squares. America can rise to the occasion, but can the pols in charge meet the moment? The U.S. are the world leader with over 900 stadiums, so they're good at this. However, with USA Cricket leadership in shambles and the ICC needing to clarify their stance, it will come down 'til the last over.

In Partnership with DAZN

The IPL has arrived in the U.K. and Ireland
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From Stumps to Spider-Man

If you had to pick one cricketer to swap lives with today, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better option than India's Shubman Gill.

At just 23 years old, Gill is walking runways, dating Sara(s), grabbing ICC Player of the Month awards - and is now voicing the iconic role of Spider-Man.

Six years after his cricket debut for the Indian Under-19 team, the Gujarat Titans batsman will make his film debut in the Hindi and Punjabi versions of Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. While cricket has seen its share of playboys and god-like legends, Gill's meteoric rise in the era of social media has a different momentum.

Let's face it: when you're rumoured to be dating the God of Cricket's daughter while also being considered as a future captain of India, you're entering unprecedented status.

No Yes Men
Gill credits his family and friends for checking his ego: "I don't have many 'yes people' around me. I have more friends around me who are challenging my decisions, whatever they may be on field or off field."

Unlike some of his fellow cricketers or Bollywood friends, Gill didn't have his surname to fall back on. His family sacrificed much for him, like moving closer to better cricket facilities, because they fully supported his dream - the investment is paying off.

The Slip Corden

  • Jofra getting paid

    According to The Daily Mail’s Matt Hughes, the Mumbai Indians are going to lock up Jofra Archer for a year. One key deal point would force the ECB to ask for permission to use Jofra’s service for the English side. TTY has been warning about this for weeks now. Comments below…

  • Jaiswal immortalised in IPL record books

    Move over KL Rahul and Pat Cummins, Yashasvi Jaiswal now owns the mark for the quickest half-century in IPL history. The Rajasthan Royals opener obliterated the IPL's fastest fifty record, crushing seven fours and three sixes off just 13 balls against KKR. Check out the highlights of the historic performance.

Comments On Jofra:

  • Pro 
    We need cricket to grow. T20 has allowed Nepal, Afghanistan, Thailand, UAE, and Oman players coming in. T20 is the future of the sport! And South Asia will undoubtedly bear the responsibility of spreading it! Kudos to IPL! What a resounding success for the sport.

  • Con
    This is ridiculous! When are the IPL gonna realise that an ashes series is 100 times more important than some money laundering league?

  • Nuanced
    This is what hypocrisy looks like. We don't even allow our players to participate in foreign leagues. End of the day, it's up to the player to decide.

    What do you think? Respond here with your thoughts.

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