The International Cricket Council approved USA Cricket on Tuesday as its 105th member and restored the sport in the United States after an earlier national governing body was ruled out.
By taking the step of making USA Cricket the 93rd Associate Member of the ICC, the Group can receive ICC development funding and sanctions for international and domestic cricket in the United States.
This is expected to open the door for T20 Internationals in Florida, where there is a large base of West Indies fans.
With the news that @usacricket has been approved as the 105th ICC member, throwback to November where they secured promotion to World Cricket League Division 2 for the first time ever!
— ICC (@ICC) January 9, 2019
Will they go on to claim ODI status by finishing in the top four at #WCL2 in April? pic.twitter.com/b0YCPbqQqy
This really is an exciting day for USA Cricket and the entire US cricket community, “said Paraag Marathe, chairman of the United States Cricket Board. “On behalf of the Board of Directors, I would like to thank the ICC and its 104 other members for their confidence in us.”
The USA Cricket Association was previously an associate member of the ICC, but was suspended for the third time in 2015 for governance issues before being expelled in June 2017.
A regional support group from the ICC Americas oversaw US cricket when a transitional plan was drafted, while the US-based cricket, based in Colorado near the US Olympic Committee, was formed and became a sustainable governing body.
“This is the culmination of many hard work and I would like to congratulate the Chairman of USA Cricket, Paraag Marathe and the Board on this important milestone and wish them all the best for the future,” said ICC Chairman David Richardson.
All organ commitments will be handed over to USA Cricket this month, with the recruitment of a chief executive and other management positions that Marathe hopes will “unleash the undisputed growth potential of the sport.”
A call for proposals for a domestic US T20 league has a deadline of 18 January. Marathe wants to start such a competition until 2021.
“We are aware of the incredible responsibility that comes with this recognition, and we are determined to work hard to be great stewards of the game for both the United States and for world cricket,” Marathe said.
“We do not take this responsibility lightly and commit to lead this great game with the integrity, passion and tireless work ethic that is the foundation of global cricket.”
