North American Cup

[BarkingByrd]

I was wondering if anyone else was paying attention this. This is the first edition of this contest and seems to signify the growth of cricket in this area. It pits the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada and the US against each other in a short round robin event where four squads will advance to the semis. The entire event will last 9 days and should be easily dominated by the US and Canada.

I'm excited for a chance to see the young home grown US talent. Jariwala, Mukamala and Krishnamurthi have all shown an ability to put up big numbers, but the availability of US cricket is limited and I've never had a chance to watch them. It should be a fun few days.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Why are the Cayman Islands and the Bahamas not a part of the West Indies?

 

[BarkingByrd]

I don't know, but I assume they are. More specifically, why are individual nations playing instead of the W. Indies as a whole. It seems to be organized by USA cricket possibly as an opportunity to play. The W. Indies likely have no shortage of opportunities. Just my guesses.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

I don't know, but I assume they are. More specifically, why are individual nations playing instead of the W. Indies as a whole. It seems to be organized by USA cricket possibly as an opportunity to play. The W. Indies likely have no shortage of opportunities. Just my guesses.

They're not, they have their own long-established national teams separate from the Windies, I wonder why they never got included into the Windies team in the first place, though interestingly both teams (and Bermuda, who also entered the Windies 50 over comp a few times) entered the ill-fated Stanford 20/20

 

[Thala_0710]

The USA captain Monank Patel putting in great performances in both matches so far

 

[BarkingByrd]

The USA captain Monank Patel putting in great performances in both matches so far

Yes, Monank has been on! Great to see after injuries kept out of the world cup last year.

 

[BarkingByrd]

USA was off to a good start, but gave up 2 wickets in the power play while chasing 185. They'll need to stem the bleeding to win this. 59/2 after 6.

 

[BarkingByrd]

USA was off to a good start, but gave up 2 wickets in the power play while chasing 185. They'll need to stem the bleeding to win this. 59/2 after 6.

And then that. Monank out gor 15 on a communication error. Ouch

 

[BarkingByrd]

The US beats Bermuda 115/0 to win by 10 wickets in the semis to set a rematch with Canada in the final. Twenty-one year old Saiteja Mukkamalla goes for 73 (50) not out to lead the US team. It should be a good final as the US and Canada reprise the sports oldest international rivalry. Both sides have recently played at a similar level with Canada winning the most recent match, 2 days ago, against an error ridden US attack.

 

[CricAddict]

This North America cup has almost been like a Asia cup designed to play India-Pakistan thrice.

Semifinals format for a 5 team tournament and obvious finalists in USA and Canada.

 

[Ali TT]

Like all good North American sports tournaments, will the winner get to call themselves world champions?

 

[BarkingByrd]

Like all good North American sports tournaments, will the winner get to call themselves world champions?

That, of course, would be ridiculous.

 

[BarkingByrd]

This North America cup has almost been like a Asia cup designed to play India-Pakistan thrice.

Semifinals format for a 5 team tournament and obvious finalists in USA and Canada.

Except that Afghanistan and Bangladesh actually have a much better chance to against India and Pakistan than Bermuda (the best of the others) has against the US or Canada. For this event to be taken seriously it really needs W Indies to participate.

I think it's mostly an opportunity to grow the sport in this region. I like it because I get to watch US cricket (when Willow gets their coverage right), and it gives the young US players more opportunity to compete and develope.

 

[capt_Luffy]

Except that Afghanistan and Bangladesh actually have a much better chance to against India and Pakistan than Bermuda (the best of the others) has against the US or Canada. For this event to be taken seriously it really needs W Indies to participate.

I think it's mostly an opportunity to grow the sport in this region. I like it because I get to watch US cricket (when Willow gets their coverage right), and it gives the young US players more opportunity to compete and develope.

An interesting way might be for the individual WI nations to play alone, as frankly no matter how much US and Canada have improved they still aren't as Good as WI 1st team.

 

[BarkingByrd]

An interesting way might be for the individual WI nations to play alone, as frankly no matter how much US and Canada have improved they still aren't as Good as WI 1st team.

Well, of course, WI is much better, but let's not forget that US beat Pakistan and held their own against India (though that result was never really in question) last year. US is also developing some potentially very good native born players. I'd like to see them play upper level competition, like WI, regularly.

 

[Ali TT]

Well, of course, WI is much better, but let's not forget that US beat Pakistan and held their own against India (though that result was never really in question) last year. US is also developing some potentially very good native born players. I'd like to see them play upper level competition, like WI, regularly.

I thought they had more home grown players at the T20WC than in this competition, but maybe I misremember.

 

[BarkingByrd]

As i was writing that last entry, Miland Kumar made a running mistake for the 3rd time in 2 matches against Canada, the 2nd one today. In the last match it resulted in Monanks wicket. Today his first almost took out Monank again, the 2nd one took Aaron Jones. If US fails to win this, Miland has a lot to answer for.

 

[BarkingByrd]

I thought they had more home grown players at the T20WC than in this competition, but maybe I misremember.

I'm not actually certain on that. Today's squad had 6 native born Americans, 4 of whom are 22 or younger.

 

[LangleyburyCCPlayer]

Well, of course, WI is much better, but let's not forget that US beat Pakistan and held their own against India (though that result was never really in question) last year. US is also developing some potentially very good native born players. I'd like to see them play upper level competition, like WI, regularly.

Bermuda almost qualified for the T20 World Cup over Canada, have they declined since then?

 

[BarkingByrd]

Bermuda almost qualified for the T20 World C
p over Canada, have they declined since then?

Maybe they just match up well against Canada, their match was close in this tournament (by 5 wickets with 1.5 overs to go). US beat them by 10 wickets with 5.8 overs to go and by 10 wickets with 14.2 overs left.