US down Canada in all-American T20 World Cup opener

Cricket had been a popular sport in the US, particularly in Philadelphia, but was supplanted by baseball in the latter stages of the 19th century.

Now with T20 cricket, a format of similar length to baseball games, on the agenda for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, the International Cricket Council hopes to attract a new and potentially lucrative audience by splitting the World Cup between the Caribbean and the US.

Twice champions West Indies open their campaign against Papua New Guinea in Georgetown on Sunday and defending champions England play Scotland in Barbados on Tuesday.

Australia, the world Test and 50-over champions, will be in action for the first time when they meet Oman in Barbados next Thursday. The biggest clash of the first round will come two days later when Australia goes up against England.

Reuters