A Long Pitch: The History of USA Cricket (18th Century - 2024 T20 World Cup)

The story of USA Cricket is one of surprising origins, early popularity, decline, and a recent resurgence. Here's a deep dive into its journey: Early Days (18th - Mid-19th Century): Pre-Cricket: Believe it or not, cricket predates baseball in the United States! References to cricket games date back to the 1700s, including founding fathers like George Washington and John Adams [1]. Golden Age: By the mid-1800s, cricket enjoyed immense popularity. Up to 1,000 clubs existed across 22 states, with major cities like Philadelphia boasting a thriving cricketing scene [2]. The Turning Point (Mid-19th Century): The Rise of Baseball: The American Civil War (1861-1865) disrupted cricket's momentum. Baseball, requiring less time and equipment, emerged as a preferred sport in soldiers' camps [3]. Gradual Decline: While cricket continued to be played, its popularity waned compared to baseball's rapid rise. A Spark of Revival (Late 19th - Early 20th Century): Philadelphia...