Corey Anderson is optimistic about the future of cricket in America and its potential for growth having previously played for New Zealand.
With a sense of pride, USA cricket team wraps up its T20 World Cup campaign and numerous lessons learnt despite their fairy tale run ending in the Super 8 stage against stronger teams like South Africa, West Indies and England. The group stage was quite commendable with a win against Pakistan and almost beating India.
“I mean sky’s the limit really… the last few years there’s always been whispers around what’s happening in America with cricket… hopefully in years to come as well, we can kind of grow that,” Anderson said after they were knocked out by England at the end of the tournament according to PTI.
Reflecting on USA’s performance during that tournament, Anderson said “I mean there’s probably a lot of areas that we need to improve on. We are still an Associate nation, growing, trying to get a bigger player pool. Making it through the Super 8s was obviously a historic occasion for the USA.”
When asked why his team lost its momentum from such a strong group stage showing into the Super 8s, Anderson spoke about how much harder it was competing at this level.
“The last couple of games have just been not quite there but that’s what happens in the Super 8 competition is bigger boys start to really show up and they’re kind of hitting their stride right at the back end of this competition,” explained Anderson.
Consequently; he acknowledged gaining experience playing higher ranked teams as he stated; “We don’t get to play against these big teams often or at all. So anything that we can play against these guys is hugely valuable. It’s probably just little bit raw at moment obviously but yeah there’s heaps of learnings out of that.”
In spite being disappointed by several losses; he insisted that it had been an achievement for his team.” They’re hurt. I’m hurt. Your pride’s always on the line when you’re playing these games and you never want to lose badly or have performances like that,” he said noting their 10 wicket defeat to England.
“ But again, it’s looking at the bigger picture of it too. If we’re a team and we first started and we’re beginning to be disappointed about how we play against these big teams and knowing that we can do better, that’s a great sign because it means we can give more.” Anderson concluded.
In some moments there were highs; in others lows for the USA team during this T20 World cup, but also with significant points highlighting cricketing potential in America.
