It will be somewhat successful, even if they manage to only attract the support of our rich Indian/Pakistani doctors and scientists. However, you may not be aware of the extremely long history this country has had with the game. Its impact in our country fell when England decided to shut us out (because we weren't a colony, i.e. under their control), and because at that same time, a similar game we had control of, "baseball" was on the rise and its professional game was being supported by American businessmen.
However, with the rise of soccer in this country (and I am speaking of both our increased success as a national side, and the entrenchment of our pro league, the MLS), is it really unrealistic to think that cricket couldn't catch on in a similar way? There are millions of expats here, alone (who have plenty of money).
In addition, I feel that we shouldn't sit by and watch our national cricket team struggle at the international level while nations like Zimbabwe and Bangladesh have the highest status. If baseball had never existed, and all of the people and resources associated with that game were in cricket, I have no doubt that we would not only have the most successful domestic professional league in the world, we would likely have the best national team as well. Is it too much to ask that we help and support our national team, so they can beat the likes of Canada and Oman?
Though born and raised in the Midwest, I like both cricket and curling. I might have to make a trip in the fall to see these matches.
I have worked with quite a few Indians, and Britains, that LOVE cricket.
I like baseball, and I bet I would like cricket, as well.
If there are tea and finger sandwich breaks between wickets, I'm in. Damn civilised!
It would be interesting to how the Yankee (desis) play cricket ;)
"Now that was a wicked googly."
I'd just like to let everyone know how the two teams (India and the West Indies) have been playing during their current series.
In the one-day series, a red hot West Indies side (coming off their predictable steamrolling of Zimbabwe), playing at home, won easily, four matches to one. This is the version of the game which they will be playing when the two teams travel to North America later this year.
The test series has gone differently. Three matches played so far, and three draws. Both teams at times have had the advantage, but neither has been able to bowl the other out the required 20 times in order to claim victory. Some bad weather has had a part in the draws, but for the most part, the team with the lead has not found the resolve to put the other away, and the team batting last and trailing in the fourth innings has worked hard, stayed focused, and fought for a well deserved draw.
The fourth test began today at Sabina Park in Jamaica, and play is scheduled until the fourth of July. This will be the last match of the series. India won the toss and elected to bat first. India are in some trouble so far, after roughly 43 overs of play, they are 63 for 4. The openers, Sehwag and Jaffer, combined to score only one run. Laxman and Singh's wickets have also fallen. All four of the West Indian bowlers have good economy rates so far. Dravid is not out, and as long as that is the case, especially with the wicketkeeper Dhoni coming in at number seven, India have a chance to make up for their misfortune today.
These two teams have been very competitive so I think their matches in North America should be good cricket. I hope that the facilities and pitches they use here will be of the best quality possible. I hope that the series will be a success because I do think the sport can and should have a future in North America.
I am at the forefront of the "soccer sucks" crowd, but I would fascinated with learning about cricket. I look forward to the sport getting some play here.