Cricket

By: Yashaaditi Teki | USA Cricket

The USA Cricket women’s team secured its second victory in the 5th ODI of the series against Zimbabwe Women. Despite losing the series 2-3, the Coach Hilton Moreeng-led USA returns home with several historical milestones. The 7-wicket victory against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club was fueled by the history-making performance of 16-year old ODI debutant, Chetna Reddy Pagydyala, with a scintillating 136 runs not out off 152 balls. USA restricted Zimbabwe to 246 runs in 50 overs and chased the total down comfortably with more than 5 overs to spare. USA won the toss and elected to field first USA started their bowling attack with Tara Norris picking up a crucial wicket of the opponents’ opening batter for a duck, and giving USA a strong start. Thereafter, Zimbabwe women picked up their momentum with a 117-run partnership between Modester Mupachikwa scoring 59 off 78 deliveries and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano scoring 60 runs off 68 deliveries. USA’s introduction of spin into the attack resulted in two quick wickets by Ritu Singh, shifting the momentum back towards USA’s favor. Saanvi Immadi provided excellent support once again by bowling an economical spell of 10 overs, 36 runs, with 2 maidens which aided in slowing down Zimbabwe’s scoring-rate during a crucial stage of the game. Skipper Aditiba Chudasama ended the innings by picking up two wickets with Tara Norris following her lead to pick up a wicket in the death overs. USA Women maintained their composure and restricted Zimbabwe Women to 246 runs in 50 overs. USA Women responded with a dominating chase that was fueled by Chetna Reddy Pagydyala’s historical milestone of scoring 136* runs in 152 deliveries, becoming the first American female player to score a century in any format of international cricket. She now holds the world record for the highest individual score on debut in women ODIs of 136*, surpassing a 51-year old record held by England’s Lynne Thomas. Pagydyala is also the second youngest to score a century on debut in a women’s ODI, only bettered by Amy Hunter of Ireland who achieved the rare milestone on her 16th birthday. The Southern Californian’s 136* also gives her the 14th highest maiden hundred in women’s ODIs. Pagydyala and Disha Dhingra put on an impressive 116-run opening partnership, setting a confident tone throughout the innings. USA finished the chase with another crucial, 88-run partnership between Chetna Reddy Pagydyala and Sindhu Sriharsha (35 runs off 39 deliveries), taking the team to victory with 7 wickets remaining. Despite the series loss, USA women have left an indelible mark at Harare with many firsts. Skipper Chudasama’s squad registered its first ODI win since gaining ODI status and Pagydyala picked up several records with her blistering century on debut. USA Cricket expresses its gratitude to Zimbabwe Cricket for hosting our women’s team and congratulates both teams on a successful, competitive and exciting series.

By: Vency Saurabh Patel | USA CRICKET

The USA Cricket women’s team secured a historic first ODI win today after playing only five ODIs since gaining status in this format of the game in 2022.

The four-wicket victory against Zimbabwe is Aditi Chudasama’s first win since taking the helm of the team this month. After facing unfavorable results in the first two matches, the USA bounced back by bowling out Zimbabwe for 179 runs in 48.4 overs and chasing the total in 37.2 overs. The win keeps USA’s hopes alive in the five-match series currently underway at the Harare Sports Club.  

USA won the toss and elected to field first

After winning a crucial coin-toss, USA opted to send Zimbabwe in to bat on a challenging first-innings pitch. Zimbabwe struggled to build momentum, with top-scorer Modester Mupachikwa contributing 34 runs off 59 balls, and Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano adding 28 runs off 46 balls. 

USA’s impressive bowling performance, particularly from Geetika Kodali, who claimed a historic and match-winning 5 wicket-haul for 43 runs, played a crucial role in dismantling Zimbabwe’s batting. 

Saanvi Immadi provided excellent support with 3 wickets for 28 runs, while Tara Norris and Isani Vaghela maintained economical figures of 2.62 and 2.66, respectively, as they applied constant pressure throughout the innings. 

In response, the USA Women chased the target confidently, scoring 182 runs for the loss of 6 wickets in just 37.2 overs.  

Openers Gargi Bhogle (36 off 57 balls) and Disha Dhingra (41 off 46) provided a solid start for Team USA with an 87-run partnership before Dhingra fell to Audrey Mazvishaya in the 16th over. Vice Captain Anika Kolan anchored the chase with the top-score of 43 runs off 59 balls.  

Despite Zimbabwe’s bowlers Josephine Nkomo (2/32) and Olinda Chare (2/41) claiming a few wickets and creating a middle-order wobble, Sindhu Sriharsha guided the team home with a crucial 30 runs off 45 balls. 

The series remains alive as both teams head into the fourth ODI on Saturday, October 26. USA will look to carry forward its momentum to level the series against Zimbabwe.  
 

USA Innings Summary: 
 

●  USA: 182/6 (37.2 overs) 

●  Anika Kolan: 43 (59) 

●  Disha Dhingra: 41 (46) 

●  Gargi Bhogle: 36 (57) 

●  Zimbabwe Bowling: Josephine Nkomo – 2/32 (9), Olinda Chare – 2/41 (9.2), Audrey Mazvishaya – 1/33 (9) 

USA Women Squad: 

Aditiba Chudasama (C), Disha Dhingra, Ella Claridge, Gargi Bhogle, Geetika Kodali, Isani Vaghela, Jivana Aras, Lekha Shetty, Ritu Singh, Anika Kolan, Sindhu Sriharsha, Chetna Pagydyala, Saanvi Immadi, Sai Tanmayi Eyyunni, Tara Norris

Zimbabwe Innings Summary: 

●  Zimbabwe: 179 (48.4 overs) 

●  Modester Mupachikwa: 34 (59) 

●  Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano: 28 (46) 

●  Audrey Mazvishaya: 26* (41) 

●  USA Bowling: Geetika Kodali – 5/43 (10), Saanvi Immadi – 3/28 (9), and 

Isani Vaghela – 1/16 (6) 

Zimbabwe Women Squad: 

Josephine Nkomo (C), Ashley Ndiraya, Chipo Mugeri-Tiripano, Runyararo Pasipanodya, Sharne Mayers, Adel Zimunu, Beloved Biza, Christabel Chatonzwa, Modester Mupachikwa, Audrey Mazvishaya, Lindokuhle Mabhero, Loryn Phiri, Nomvelo Sibanda, Olinder Chare, Tendai Makusha 

See full scorecard here. 

Upcoming games: 

• Saturday, October 26, 9:15am: 4th ODI 
• Monday, October 28, 9:15am: 5th ODI

By: CBS News

The United States beat cricket heavyweight Pakistan, scoring a major upset in the T20 World Cup on Thursday — a historic win for a country where most people hardly understand the rules of the game.

The U.S. had romped to seven-wicket win over Canada in its opening game. Aaron Jones, who smashed a 40-ball unbeaten 94 against Canada, once again starred for the tournament co-host when he stretched the game into super over with another vital knock of 36 not out off 26.

Jones hit a six off Haris Rauf and then a single before Nitish Kumar’s boundary off the final ball tied the score at 159 at the end of regulation as Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler gave away 14 runs off the final six balls.

Pakistan panicked in the super over when much experienced fast bowler Mohammad Amir, preferred over Shaheen Shah Afridi, gave away 18 runs that included seven runs off wide balls as Jones smashed a boundary against the left-arm seamer.

Left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who earlier bowled brilliantly and grabbed 2-18 off his four overs, conceded only 13 runs in the super over to earn the U.S. its most historic Twenty20 win against Pakistan, the 2009 champion. 

Iftikhar Ahmed smashed boundary off Netravalkar’s second ball, before holing out at long off as the left-arm seamer kept his cool and snatched a famous win for the U.S.

The United States beat cricket heavyweight Pakistan, scoring a major upset in the T20 World Cup on Thursday — a historic win for a country where most people hardly understand the rules of the game.

The U.S. had romped to seven-wicket win over Canada in its opening game. Aaron Jones, who smashed a 40-ball unbeaten 94 against Canada, once again starred for the tournament co-host when he stretched the game into super over with another vital knock of 36 not out off 26.

Jones hit a six off Haris Rauf and then a single before Nitish Kumar’s boundary off the final ball tied the score at 159 at the end of regulation as Pakistan’s experienced fast bowler gave away 14 runs off the final six balls.

Pakistan panicked in the super over when much experienced fast bowler Mohammad Amir, preferred over Shaheen Shah Afridi, gave away 18 runs that included seven runs off wide balls as Jones smashed a boundary against the left-arm seamer.

Left-arm fast bowler Saurabh Netravalkar, who earlier bowled brilliantly and grabbed 2-18 off his four overs, conceded only 13 runs in the super over to earn the U.S. its most historic Twenty20 win against Pakistan, the 2009 champion. 

Iftikhar Ahmed smashed boundary off Netravalkar’s second ball, before holing out at long off as the left-arm seamer kept his cool and snatched a famous win for the U.S.

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In addition to his pro cricket career, Netravalkar is also a computer software engineer who works at Oracle in the San Francisco Bay Area, according to his LinkedIn profile.

“It’s a big achievement,” U.S. captain says

“It’s a big achievement, beating Pakistan while playing for the first time (against them),” U.S. captain Monank Patel said. “We used the conditions well (and) kept them to 160, which was chaseable.”

It was a disastrous start for captain Babar Azam’s Pakistan, which is due to meet archrival India on Sunday in New York.

“All credit to the USA who did well in all the three departments and that’s why they won,” Babar said. “We couldn’t capitalize during the first six overs. We took the momentum, but back-to-back wickets hurt us.”

The Americans looked well on course to stun Pakistan during regulation game when skipper Patel hit 50 off 38 balls and together with Andries Gous (35) breezed the home team to 104-1 in 13 overs before Pakistan staged a comeback and dismissed both the set batters in successive overs as the U.S. finished at 159-3.

Patel and Ghous added 68 runs for the second wicket as Pakistan’s four-man pace attack led by Shaheen Shah Afridi couldn’t trouble them and leg-spinner Shadab Khan looked off, too, before Amir gave Pakistan a glimmer of hope.

Amir had Patel caught behind off a slow off-cutter and Ghous was clean bowled by Rauf. But Rauf, who bowled the last over with a cushion of 15 runs, couldn’t stop Jones and Kumar from taking the game into super over with two big hits off the final three deliveries.

Pakistan’s batting, which has been struggling for a year in the sport’s shortest format, got further exposed against some disciplined U.S. seam bowling after Patel won the toss and elected to field and restricted the opposition to 159-7.

A perfect U.S. start

The reunion of Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan as the opening pair also couldn’t bail them out and the middle-order stuttered on a slow wicket.

Steven Taylor gave the home team a perfect start when he plucked a brilliant one-handed catch inches off the turf to dismiss Rizwan in the second over off Netravalkar.

The left-arm spin of Nosthush Kenjige (3-30) also troubled Pakistan batters inside the power play as Usman Khan played a reckless shot and holed out while Fakhar Zaman’s weak ramp shot couldn’t clear the fielder at short fine leg inside the 30-yard circle as Pakistan slipped to 26-3 in the fifth over.

Babar (44) and Shadab Khan (40) tried to regain the momentum and raised 72-run stand before Kenjige broke the threatening stand in the 13th over when Shadab was brilliantly snapped by Netravalkar at short fine leg and Azam Khan was pinned leg before wicket off the first ball by the left-arm spinner.

Babar, who became world’s leading T20 run-getter and surpassed Virat Kohli’s tally of 4,038 runs, looked scratchy in his 43-ball knock that included two sixes and three boundaries before he fell lbw to Jasdeep Singh’s delivery in the 16th over as Pakistan slipped to 125-6.

It was only due to Shaheen Shah Afridi’s 23 off 16 balls that included two late sixes that lifted Pakistan’s total in the death overs.

By Dhruv Barot | USA Cricket

• USA Cricket expands volunteer program to further streamline and professionalize the men’s and women’s domestic pathway.
• Existing Volunteer Youth and Women’s Coordinator roles to be discontinued.
• Roles to focus on facilitating recently established pathway competitions, and a need to expand participation options in local communities.

USA Cricket is expanding its volunteer program to ensure the domestic pathway continues to progress in 2024 and beyond.

With the building out of the hard-ball pathways over the last couple of years, and the appointment of various groups to help manage these competitions and associated programs, the role of the Volunteer Youth/Womens Coordinators has become less clear. We believe this restructuring of roles brings more clarity to the responsibilities of the respective volunteer groups and affords individuals an opportunity to utilize their skills and passions in a more streamlined way.

The roles of Volunteer Youth and Volunteer Women’s Coordinators will therefore be discontinued, but we would encourage those existing members of these groups who are interested, to apply for the new roles. USA Cricket wishes to express its gratitude to the members of our existing Volunteer Groups and acknowledge the importance of their efforts over the last few years.

The new roles being established in Hubs across the country are as follows…

1. Hub Cricket Lead (HCL) – Main point of contact between the Hub and USA Cricket with a focus on local partnership building including sponsorship. Overall responsibility for Hub operations and other development activities within the Hub.
2. Hub Women’s Coordinator (HWC) – Responsible for helping deliver women’s programs within the Hub including the U15, U19 and Senior Women’s trials and competitions and high-performance activities.
3. Hub Men’s Coordinator (HMC) – Responsible for helping deliver men’s programs within the Hub, including U19, U23 and Senior Men’s trials and competitions and high-performance activities.
4. Hub Youth Coordinator (HYC) – Responsible for helping deliver youth programs within the Hub, including U11, U13 and U15 Hub and Zonal competitions.
5. Hub Participation Coordinator (HPC) – Responsible for helping facilitate increase in quantity and quality of low-barrier-to-entry cricket playing opportunities at a local level (modified formats, soft-ball, hard-ball, schools, clubs, leagues etc.).

USA Cricket invites people to register their interest by submitting a current resume here no later than December 24, 2023.

By: John Garcia | ABC7 Chicago

OSWEGO, Ill. (WLS) — It may be relatively unknown in the United States, but cricket is actually the second most popular sport in the world after soccer. Now a developer wants to bring a pitch and stadium to a large plot of vacant land in Oswego.

Developer Paresh Patel has released drawings of the 24,000 seat, open-air stadium he has planned for the western suburb.

“It certainly was an impressive looking facility and one that would bring a lot of attention to Oswego,” said Village Administrator dan Di Santo.

Cricket is growing in America. Illinois State Rep. Jennifer Sanalitro has sponsored a resolution asking the Illinois High School Association to recognize the sport.

“I know there is a demand for it. They’ve got cores of people and it’s growing. It’s very popular,” she said.

The proposed stadium, however, is not popular with some Oswego residents, many of whom will speak at a zoning board meeting Thursday night. Some are also circulating a petition in opposition. They cite concerns including noise from the crowds, lights during evening events, a big increase in traffic on area roads and limited parking, as well as the possibility of an increase in crime near the facility.

“With a stadium of that magnitude coming here in our back yard, the quality of life will be impacted greatly,” said resident David Fisher.

“We share some of those concerns,” said Di Santo. “We’re very early in the process and how we address some of the issues and concerns.”

According to the city, the developer expects there to be a professional cricket league in this country and Oswego would be the Chicago area franchise.

After Thursday night’s meeting, it could still be several months before the full city council considers the proposal.

By: USA Cricket

– The #FutureShaper Women’s Internship Program offers positions in Digital Editorial, Graphic Design, and Marketing & Events. – The Internship program is open to females ages 16 and above, based in the USA.  – Application deadline is September 25, 2023. USA Cricket is seeking female interns to help create awareness and bring coverage of women’s cricket to viewers across the country and globe through its #FutureShaper Women’s Internship Program. With the upward trend of women’s cricket participation across the world, this is a chance for females in the USA to become a #FutureShaper – empowered leaders who can shape the future for everyone involved in women’s cricket. The internship program includes assignments in the following areas: Digital Editorial, Graphic Design, and Marketing and Events. USA Cricket Board Member and Women & Girls’ Committee Chair, Nadia Gruny said, “We are pleased to launch this internship program for females in the USA to get involved in working with cricket. An intern does not have to be a player although our athletes are encouraged to apply. This initiative is identified in our Shaping the Future for Women and Girls in American Cricket plan as important toward achieving our vision of establishing a more equitable gender balance and increased levels of female engagement across all aspects of the game. This program not only helps USA Cricket but it also helps our young #FutureShapers develop skills as they prepare for college and the working world.” USA Cricket Chairman, Venu Pisike said, “USA Cricket fully supports the engagement of females on and off the cricket field. This is a great opportunity for young women in this country to learn skills that will help them throughout their life and hopefully, encourage them to pursue careers in cricket in the future. USA Cricket is also happy to have the support of some of the best young minds in the cricket community.”  The first #FutureShapers Women’s Internship Program will run 8-12 weeks on average, depending on the assignment. Internship assignments begin as early as October 2, 2023. The second internship program will begin in 2024 at a date to be determined. Click here for Internship Descriptions. Candidates ages 16 and over, should apply here by September 25, 2023 at 11:59pm PT. ABOUT USA CRICKET USA Cricket is the National Federation for cricket in the United States as recognized by the International Cricket Council. USA Cricket’s mission is to govern, regulate, develop and promote all forms of cricket at all levels in the United States, and to enable U.S. cricketers to achieve sustained competitive excellence and successfully compete in national and international competition. Through a diverse Board of Directors that has representation from most cricket stakeholder groups, USA Cricket will lead the sport to new heights by creating and administering value added programs to grow and develop the sport.  FOR MORE DETAILS CONTACT Email: media@usacricket.org

USA Cricket

A 14-player squad to represent Team USA has been named for the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier in Los Angeles, next month.

Charlotte Dickenson, named as Interim Women’s Head Coach
Four teams will compete for a spot in the 2024 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier

USA Cricket are delighted to announce the 14-player USA Women’s squad that will attempt to qualify for the T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in 2024. The regional qualifier will run from September 4th to 11th at the Woodley Park Cricket Complex, Van Nuys, California.

The 14-player squad contains seven players who participated in the 2023 ICC Under 19 Women’s World Cup, most of which have represented the senior team previously. The squad also sees the return of experienced off-spinner Uzma Iftikhar and all-rounder, Onika Wallerson.

Three uncapped players have earned their maiden call-up: Jessica Willathgamuwa, Chetna Reddy Pagydyala and Jivana Aras.

Left-arm pace bowler Tara Norris, who made history in this year’s Women’s Premier League by recording the tournament’s first 5-fer, is unavailable due to representative cricket commitments in England. Off-spinner Bhumika Bhadiraraju, a college freshman this Fall, is unavailable due to College commitments.

Charlotte Dickenson will be leading the charge as the USA Cricket Interim Head Coach. Dickenson is an ECB Level 3 coach who is also an ICC Coach Tutor and Master Educator. She brings immense experience having coached England’s U17, U19 and U21 national women’s teams. In 2005, she was England’s Assistant Coach and Manager during the team’s Ashes win against Australia. Dickenson was a part time coach for the Belgium Women’s team and has been coaching in the USA Cricket National Domestic Pathway tournaments since 2021.

The national team will be assembling in Van Nuys, California on August 25 for a pre-tournament camp.

Team USA Women’s Squad
Sindhu Sriharsha (Captain)
Geetika Kodali (Vice-Captain)
Aditi Chudasama
Anika Kolan
Chetna Reddy Pagydyala
Disha Dhingra
Gargi Bhogle
lsani Vaghela
Jessica Willathgamuwa
Jivana Aras
Onika Wallerson
Ritu Singh
Suhani Thadani
Uzma Iftikhar

Non Travelling Reserves

Laasya Mullapudi
Snigdha Paul
Chetnaa Prasad

Support Staff

Head Coach: Charlotte Dickenson
Assistant Coach: Chitaranjan Nilak
Manager: John Aaron
Analyst: Rohaan Gosala
Physiotherapist: Alondra Castellanos

Selection Panel: Joan Alexander-Serrano (Chair), Erica Rendler, Jyotsna Patel, Rajeshwari Antani, Syed Masood Akhtar