The squad of 14 players to represent the USA was announced today following a thorough preparation and selection process. The process to identify talent across the USA began earlier this year with eight combines in different locations. The combines identified great depth across the country for youth and senior players which is encouraging for the future of USA cricket.
The USA selection panel first announced a squad of 30 players, which attended a Florida selection trial during the Caribbean Premier League in July which provided some valuable match practice and gave the players great exposure to professional cricket.
This group was then reduced to 22 players for matches against the Marylebone Cricket Club and internal trials in Indianapolis. The final squad of 14 will soon group for three 50-over matches as part of the Auty Cup against Canada in Los Angeles on 13, 14 and 16 October ahead of the ICC World Cricket League Division 4 in LA which commences on 29 October, 2016.
Newcomer Syed Abdullah batting against the visiting MCC earlier this month. Photos by Shiek Mohamed
Commenting on the squad, chairman of selectors, Ricardo Powell said: “It is encouraging that there is strong competition for spots. Some very good players have missed selection on this occasion but those players and even players who may have missed selection in the initial squad of 30 will have an important role to play in the future of USA cricket.
“The selection panel is confident we have a strong team, a good mix of experience and some new players who will make their USA debut. We wish the group and coach every success in our bid to win the World Cricket League Division 4.”
National coach Pubudu Dassanayake said: “I have been pleased to see the application of the USA players to date. Indianapolis was a great camp and it was good to see the squad work hard together to drive performance standards and expectations. I’m excited to be working with these players over the next month as we build towards our goal of winning on home soil. We hope the USA will get behind the players and support their efforts.”
The USA squad: Akeem Dodson, Alex Amsterdam, Danial Ahmed, Elmore Hutchinson, Fahad Babar, Jasdeep Singh, Muhammad Ahsan Ali Khan, Nicholas Standford, Prashanth Nair, Srinivasa Santhanam, Steven Taylor, Syed Abdullah, Timil Patel, Timroy Allen.
The captain will be announced at a later date.
