Latest news with #MinorLeagueCricket
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
USA Cricket declares bold new era, sets sight on full ICC membership, game-changing expansion plans around LA Olympics
From being the CEO of Cricket West Indies for seven years to now leading Major League Cricket (MLC), Johnny Grave's new mission could redefine the global cricketing order. And in less than half a year into his new role, the Englishman has hit the ground running. Grave has already overseen MLC's expansion to three active venues for 2025, pulling off a coup by securing the Oakland Coliseum as a host ground. 'We've got to be ready with cricket in America to capitalize on that, both in terms of the greater enthusiasm it will generate at the grassroots level, in the schools and the colleges, and also in terms of the fan base, and not making it just a one-off,' he told Cricbuzz. As MLC gears up for a pivotal few years with the LA28 Olympics on the horizon, Grave believes America is sitting on an untapped goldmine. But transforming that promise into permanence will take more than showpiece events. 'How do we take those fans from the Olympics and move them through into becoming really sticky and engaged cricket fans, and actually getting them to actively support our MLC teams and the US national teams, because we need those teams to build their own fan bases,' said Grave. Grave is also looking to reshape the grassroots structure and revenue model for Minor League Cricket (MiLC), which currently runs on personal investment from private owners. 'We have had really positive talks with the owners about redefining the business model for Minor League to help ensure it becomes more sustainable, both from a league perspective and the individual teams,' he said. 'There is definitely value within Minor League and we've seen that in the last few months, with ownership changing, different investors coming into the individual teams.' Player development is also at the heart of Grave's blueprint. With full-time earnings for the majority of American cricketers still meagre, his aim is to establish a structure where pursuing cricket professionally is financially viable. 'We've had really good discussions with the US players' union. We're probably going to be the first league in the US to sign an agreement with the players' union… what USA-based cricketers are earning now compared to their Associate Member counterparts would be significantly ahead of any other team,' he said. Grave believes USA Cricket could soon make a strong case for full ICC membership, if it fixes its governance flaws. 'I think USA Cricket already has a very compelling case to become an ICC full member… The one concern I think the game of cricket might have would be the ongoing governance challenges that the board has faced over pretty much all of its recent history,' he noted. His understanding of ICC systems, gained through his years at the helm of a full-member board, could be key in lobbying for a unique pathway. 'Certainly everything that we're planning to do with Minor League Cricket and expanding the academy network, and with MLC already a premier domestic T20 tournament on the global stage… it is only going to assist the case.' Grave isn't just building a league. He's helping awaken a sleeping giant. And if the plans take shape, American cricket may soon do more than just catch up—it might well start leading the conversation.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Building the future: MLC CEO Johnny Grave's mission to unify and professionalise US Cricket
File photo of Johnny Grave, the MLC CEO. Johnny Grave, former CEO of Cricket West Indies, has taken charge as the new CEO of Major League Cricket (MLC) in the United States, transitioning from managing an established cricket nation to leading a T20 league in America. In his first four months, Grave has expanded MLC venues from two to three for the 2025 season, including securing the Oakland Coliseum, and is working to establish cricket infrastructure while preparing for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. The move to secure Oakland Coliseum required coordinating the shipment of drop-in pitches from New York and assembling international pitch curators to ensure T20-standard surfaces. This expansion comes after criticism of wicket quality during the 2023 T20 World Cup. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Grave faces the challenge of organising America's fragmented cricket landscape, which includes Minor League Cricket (MiLC), various T20 leagues, and century-old summer leagues. He aims to create a unified structure between MLC and USA Cricket. MLC2025 Domestic Draft Show "The road map should be very clear that by playing in an academy, playing in a local league, getting selected for Minor League cricket and from Minor League cricket, playing in those open tournaments and then continuing to perform will lead you into getting drafted for Major League and then hopefully to USA colours. That's probably where we need a bit more alignment with, with all the ownership group and all the cricket that's been placed, and bring a bit of structure into that," Grave stated in a conversation with Cricbuzz. MLC has secured nearly $100 million in Series A and B funding rounds. The league is working to create sustainable business models for Minor League Cricket, where team ownership currently costs up to $160,000 per season. "We have really positive talks about redefining the business model for Minor League to help them become sustainable, both from a league perspective and the individual owners. And I think one of the things that's become very clear is that there is a sustainable vision for Minor League," Grave explained. Players with both MLC and USA Cricket contracts can earn approximately $120,000 annually, reaching $135,000 with additional tournament earnings. However, mid-to-lower tier players earn between $10,000 and $40,000 annually. "We've had really good discussions with the players' union. We're probably going to be the first league in the US to sign an agreement with the players' union, which mainly focuses on the domestic players and supporting them and being seen as a player-friendly ecosystem is really important to us," Grave said. Grave believes the U.S. could achieve ICC full member status with proper infrastructure development. The 2028 Los Angeles Olympics presents a significant opportunity for cricket's growth in America. "The LA28 Olympics will have an amazing boost to the sport at all levels. And we've got to be ready with USA cricket to capitalise on that, both in terms of greater enthusiasm in the grassroots, in the schools and the colleges, but also in terms of the fan base, and not making it just a one-off," Grave emphasised. During his tenure at Cricket West Indies, Grave helped revive international cricket during the pandemic by organising the England vs. West Indies Test series under bio-bubble protocols. The Caribbean Premier League became the first T20 franchise league to resume during COVID under his leadership. "I think the US already has a very compelling case to become a full member infrastructurally with all the MLC has been putting in. The one concern I think that the game of cricket would have would be the ongoing governance challenges that the board has faced over pretty much all of its recent history," Grave noted regarding USA Cricket's ICC membership prospects.
Muscat Daily
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Muscat Daily
Oman cricket team in the US for ICC CWC League 2 Series
Muscat – Fuelled by weeks of intense preparation and a steely determination to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive, the Oman national cricket team touched down in the United States on Friday ahead of the crucial ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 (CWC L2) tri-series, which begins on May 17 at Broward Stadium in Florida. The tri-series will see Oman take on hosts USA and fellow contenders Canada in what is shaping up to be a pivotal leg of the League 2 campaign. Oman currently are fourth in the standings with 18 points, behind USA (22 points from 16 matches), Netherlands (22 from 17), and Canada (20), making this Florida series a must-perform tour for the Men in Red. Arriving a week in advance, Oman will begin their pre-series schedule with two warm-up matches against Minor League Cricket sides on May 11 and 13 in Orlando, giving them time to adapt to American conditions and fine-tune combinations. Head coach Duleep Mendis believes the team is ready, citing the high-quality preparations back home, including a fiercely contested four-match series against Kerala that ended 2-2 and a three-match face-off with Karnataka, which Oman lost 0-3 but drew vital lessons from. 'We are coming to showcase our strength in the L2 series in the USA. The preparations have been amazing,' said Mendis. 'First, we had Kerala here. Then Karnataka — among top Indian domestic teams. Playing under such testing conditions has helped our players immensely. You can't ask for better match exposure than this before a major international series.' Skipper Jatinder Singh was in sublime touch during the Kerala series, scoring 210 runs in just two innings, including a commanding 150. Pruthvi Machhi also struck a century, while Mohammad Nadeem contributed with two gritty fifties. Aamir Kaleem and Mujib Ali added one fifty each. On the bowling front, Hassnain Ali Shah led the charge with 9 wickets in two games, with Shakeel Ahmed close behind, claiming 7 scalps. Despite the clean sweep by Karnataka, the likes of Hammad Mirza (124), Machhi, Nadeem, Vinayak Shukla, and Aryan Bisht — all of whom registered fifties — showed promise. 'That series, though tough, gave our youngsters the kind of match toughness that can't be taught in nets,' Mendis added. He also reflected on the rapid rebuilding process Oman Cricket undertook after losing several senior players last year. 'We had to assemble a new team within two days for the Emerging Teams Asia Cup,' he recalled. 'Then came the tri-series in Al Amerat against Netherlands and UAE. It was a very difficult phase, but the boys adapted well and produced some remarkable results.' Among those to watch is Aryan Bisht, a talented off-spinner and middle-order bat who played for Oman's U19 side in 2022 and made the Emerging Asia Cup squad earlier this year. This tour marks his first appearance in a senior ODI assignment. Looking ahead, Mendis is confident that Oman's blend of youth and experience, backed by a potent spin department and a steadily maturing core, can keep their qualification hopes alive. 'This is an important series. The boys are strong, the mindset is right, and I believe this team can go all the way,' he said. As the countdown begins in Florida, Oman's campaign will be underpinned by strategic planning, disciplined execution, and a burning desire to prove that this rebuilt side has what it takes to rise on the world stage. Oman squad: Jatinder Singh (captain), Vinayak Shukla (vice-captain), Aamir Kaleem, Pruthvi Machhi, Hammad Mirza, Mohammad Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Jay Odedra, Samay Shrivastava, Hassnain Ali Shah, Muhammad Imran, Mujib Ali, Muzahir Raza, Aryan Bisht. Oman tour schedule (Florida, USA): May 11: Warm-up match vs Minor League team, Orlando, May 13: Warm-up match vs Minor League team, Orlando, May 17: Travel to Fort Lauderdale, May 19: Oman vs Canada, May 21: Oman vs USA, May 23: Oman vs Canada, May 25: Oman vs USA, May 26: Rest day, May 27: Oman vs USA, May 28: Departure.
Observer
10-05-2025
- Sport
- Observer
Oman cricket team lands in USA for ICC League 2 series
MUSCAT: Fuelled by weeks of intense preparation and a steely determination to keep their World Cup qualification hopes alive, the Oman national cricket team touched down in the United States on Friday ahead of the crucial ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 (CWC L2) tri-series, which begins on May 17 at Broward Stadium in Florida. The tri-series will see Oman take on hosts USA and fellow contenders Canada in what is shaping up to be a pivotal leg of the League 2 campaign. Oman currently are fourth in the standings with 18 points, behind USA (22 points from 16 matches), Netherlands (22 from 17), and Canada (20), making this Florida series a must-perform tour for the Men in Red. Arriving a week in advance, Oman will begin their pre-series schedule with two warm-up matches against Minor League Cricket sides on May 11 and 13 in Orlando, giving them time to adapt to American conditions and fine-tune combinations. Head coach Duleep Mendis believes the team is ready, citing the high-quality preparations back home, including a fiercely contested four-match series against Kerala that ended 2-2 and a three-match face-off with Karnataka, which Oman lost 0-3 but drew vital lessons from. 'We are coming to showcase our strength in the L2 series in the USA. The preparations have been amazing,' said Mendis. 'First, we had Kerala here. Then Karnataka — among top Indian domestic teams. Playing under such testing conditions has helped our players immensely. You can't ask for better match exposure than this before a major international series.' Skipper Jatinder Singh was in sublime touch during the Kerala series, scoring 210 runs in just two innings, including a commanding 150. Pruthvi Machhi also struck a century, while Mohammad Nadeem contributed with two gritty fifties. Aamir Kaleem and Mujib Ali added one fifty each. On the bowling front, Hassnain Ali Shah led the charge with 9 wickets in two games, with Shakeel Ahmed close behind, claiming 7 scalps. Despite the clean sweep by Karnataka, the likes of Hammad Mirza (124), Machhi, Nadeem, Vinayak Shukla, and Aryan Bisht — all of whom registered fifties — showed promise. 'That series, though tough, gave our youngsters the kind of match toughness that can't be taught in nets,' Mendis added. He also reflected on the rapid rebuilding process Oman Cricket undertook after losing several senior players last year. 'We had to assemble a new team within two days for the Emerging Teams Asia Cup,' he recalled. 'Then came the tri-series in Al Amerat against Netherlands and UAE. It was a very difficult phase, but the boys adapted well and produced some remarkable results.' Among those to watch is Aryan Bisht, a talented off-spinner and middle-order bat who played for Oman's U19 side in 2022 and made the Emerging Asia Cup squad earlier this year. This tour marks his first appearance in a senior ODI assignment. Looking ahead, Mendis is confident that Oman's blend of youth and experience, backed by a potent spin department and a steadily maturing core, can keep their qualification hopes alive. 'This is an important series. The boys are strong, the mindset is right, and I believe this team can go all the way,' he said. As the countdown begins in Florida, Oman's campaign will be underpinned by strategic planning, disciplined execution, and a burning desire to prove that this rebuilt side has what it takes to rise on the world stage. Oman squad: Jatinder Singh (captain), Vinayak Shukla (vice-captain), Aamir Kaleem, Pruthvi Machhi, Hammad Mirza, Mohammad Nadeem, Sufyan Mehmood, Shakeel Ahmed, Jay Odedra, Samay Shrivastava, Hassnain Ali Shah, Muhammad Imran, Mujib Ali, Muzahir Raza, Aryan Bisht. Oman tour schedule (Florida, USA): May 11: Warm-up match vs Minor League team, Orlando, May 13: Warm-up match vs Minor League team, Orlando, May 17: Travel to Fort Lauderdale, May 19: Oman vs Canada, May 21: Oman vs USA, May 23: Oman vs Canada, May 25: Oman vs USA, May 26: Rest day, May 27: Oman vs USA, May 28: Departure.
