USA Cricket Team: Origins, Major League Cricket and 2024 Highs
A look at the United States men’s cricket team: its 1844 roots, the arrival of Major League Cricket, the 2024 T20 World Cup and the 2028 Olympics.
Cricket in the United States has a longer history than many people expect, and it is now entering a period of rapid change thanks to major tournaments, a new professional league and Olympic inclusion.
Early history
The United States and Canada met at the St George’s Cricket Club in New York in 1844, a game generally recognised as the first international cricket match between two nations. In the nineteenth century the sport was popular in cities such as Philadelphia, but baseball later took over as the dominant bat-and-ball game, and cricket continued largely within immigrant communities.
Modern international status
USA Cricket governs the national team, which competes as an ICC Associate Member. The side gained T20 international status in 2018 and one-day international status in 2019. Many squad members have family roots in South Asia, the Caribbean and elsewhere, and a number of players have come through the country’s club leagues.
The 2024 T20 World Cup
The United States co-hosted the 2024 T20 World Cup with the West Indies, which meant automatic qualification for the host side. Matches were staged in New York, Dallas and Florida. The Americans beat Pakistan in a Super Over at Grand Prairie in June 2024 and went on to reach the Super 8 stage in their first appearance in the tournament, a landmark moment for the sport in the country.
Major League Cricket
Major League Cricket, a professional franchise T20 competition, began in 2023. It aims to build a commercial and talent pipeline in the country, and has attracted overseas stars alongside American players.
The road to 2028
Cricket is set to return to the Olympic Games at Los Angeles in 2028, after a long absence from the programme. The inclusion is expected to bring new funding and attention, though the team’s qualification route and the organisation of the domestic game remain topics of discussion. This overview does not cover current squads, rankings or recent results.
Frequently asked questions
When did the US and Canada first play each other?
They met in 1844 at the St George’s Cricket Club in New York, regarded as the first international cricket match.
Did the USA reach the Super 8 at the 2024 T20 World Cup?
Yes. They beat Pakistan in a Super Over and advanced to the Super 8 stage.
Will cricket be in the Olympics?
Yes. Cricket is scheduled to return at the Los Angeles Games in 2028.