NZ to play Sri Lanka in 20-20 cricket in Florida

[dave nz]

The Black Caps and Sri Lanka will play a three match Twenty20 series in Florida next month to launch a new strategic partnership between USA Cricket and New Zealand Cricket.

The series - the first international cricket matches to be played by full ICC members in the USA - will take place from May 20-23 in Lauderhill, Florida, around 30 miles from Miami.

With approximately 15-million cricket fans living in the USA, Gladstone Dainty, USA Cricket President, said that the series should create interest in country that traditionally only follows the big sports of Americain Football, basketball and baseball.

"The historic event will provide great exposure for cricket with some of the world's top players will be on show here, Dainty said in a statement.

"USA Cricket has worked hard to bring this event about and we are very excited about the potential impact of this series for the growth and development of cricket in the United States".

USA Cricket CEO, Donald Lockerbie said the three match series has been in the works for some time as part of the new "Destination USA" initiative.

Last November an important strategic partnership was also made between New Zealand Cricket and USA Cricket to advance the game in the region.

"We believe that in order to grow the game of cricket in the USA - we need to have the best teams in the world play in our country," said Lockerbie.

"We want to demonstrate to the American public just how exciting the T20 format is. Cricket is already popular here but has lacked major media coverage. This inaugural series is the first step to reverse this situation."

Lockerbie also pointed out that the last time the sport of cricket made significant history in the United States was in 1844, when the Canada v USA match was the first international sporting event between two nations in world history.

New Zealand Cricket CEO, Justin Vaughan added that NZC has long seen the dynamic potential of cricket in the USA, and made a strategic decision to offer to partner with USA Cricket;

"We have the experience and capacity to help develop the game of cricket in the USA. We are looking at ways of helping USA Cricket grow the game both professionally and at the grassroots, Vaughan said.

"This T20 series is the first of many initiatives between our two cricket boards and we envisage the Black Caps playing in the USA on an annual basis."

The matches will be played at the Central Broward County Regional Park Cricket Stadium - the only ICC approved cricket stadium in North America, in Lauderhill, a suburb of Ft. Lauderdale. The stadium holds up to 20,000 and was completed in November 2007.

Matches are scheduled with the inaugural game set for Thursday night 20th May, and Saturday and Sunday afternoons.

[killa21]

nice... guess they trying to expose some world class cricket in the States.. 20/20 is exciting!! .... ANY team can win

20/20 world cup is just around the corner !! can't wait!!!!

[Windy City Irish]

lost alot of sleep over the last couple of nights wondering when this was going to happen. almost ruined my vacation. thanks Dave!

[WildKat]

Originally Posted by Windy City Irish

lost alot of sleep over the last couple of nights wondering when this was going to happen. almost ruined my vacation. thanks Dave!

lmao

[dave nz]

Originally Posted by Windy City Irish

lost alot of sleep over the last couple of nights wondering when this was going to happen. almost ruined my vacation. thanks Dave!

You're welcome mate, I posted it with you in mind!

[Victor]

dave nz, thank you for the generous Birthday Points! Much appreciated mate!

[dave nz]

You're welcome Vic, have a great weekend.

[revnecro1273]

15 million cricket fans in usa? wtf...don't think there are that many hockey fans in usa, let alone cricket fans

[dave nz]

Think most of em are of Asian decent rev

[Bobtheicon]

Attaboy Dave, Keep us posted