Next week’s historic series of international cricket matches scheduled for Florida has been re-shaped to include two double headers, featuring the New Zealand BLACKCAPS vs. Sri Lanka and the USA vs. Jamaica.
New Zealand and Sri Lanka were originally scheduled to play three international Twenty20 matches to launch the hosting of full international cricket in the USA. However, the International Cricket Council has ruled that the lights available at the Broward County Regional Park are not quite up to the standard required for the broadcast and hosting of full international cricket.
“Ideally the inaugural game in the Pearls Cup series would have been a night game on Thursday, The lights at the stadium are fine for most levels of cricket, but they need to be of a higher standard for the playing and broadcast of international cricket.” said New Zealand Cricket CEO Justin Vaughan.
“And added to this, there is a high probability of rain and thunderstorms in the region on Thursday which added weight to our decision. Because of these factors, we have decided, along with our partner USA Cricket, to focus all of the attention on the weekend with the two double headers as well a full One Day International between USA and Jamaica on Friday the 21st.”
“The BLACKCAPS are tremendously excited about the opportunity of launching international cricket in the United States and it promises to be an amazing weekend of cricket. The BLACKCAPS have had fantastically close games against the Sri Lankan team in recent times and the Pearls Cup series promises to be a great spectacle.
It is also great to see that Jamaica have sent a full-strength squad, including a number of players who have played for the West Indies. Their games against the top USA team should also add a lot to the event” Vaughan said.
Anyone who had purchased a ticket for Thursday’s game should contact Ticketmaster for a reallocation to the weekend or a refund.
