Teams
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Atlanta Fire
Silicon Valley Strikers
Dallas Mustangs
Lone Star Athletics
Atlanta Lightning
St Louis Americans
NJ Somerset Cavaliers
Orlando Galaxy
Golden State Grizzlies
New Jersey Stalions
Bay Blazers
The Philadelphians
Houston Hurricanes
Seattle Thunderbolts
Ft Lauderdale Lions
Michigan Cricket Stars
Dallas Xforia Giants
Morrisville Raptors
New England Eagles
Chicago Tigers
Empire State Titans
Socal Lashings
Manhattan Yorkers
Baltimore Royals
San Diego Surf Riders
Chicago Kingsmen
Hollywood Master Blasters
Chicago Blasters
DC Hawks
Wikipedia - Minor League Cricket
Minor League Cricket (MiLC) is an American T20 Cricket league affiliated with Major League Cricket (MLC) which completed its first season in 2021, after it was delayed from starting in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It consists of 26 teams from four regions. The Silicon Valley Strikers won the inaugural tournament, followed by the Seattle Thunderbolts in 2022. Due to financial issues and general public disinterest, the 2024 season was shortened to 8 matches per side, taking place in the fall, and was won by the Chicago Kingsmen. The league’s title sponsor is YASH technologies, having previously been Sunoco and Toyota.
History
Formation
Talks of an American Twenty20 league started in November 2018, just before USA Cricket became the new governing body of cricket in the United States. In May 2021, USA Cricket announced they had accepted a bid by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) for a $1 billion investment covering the league and other investments benefitting the U.S. national teams.
In an Annual General Meeting on February 21, 2020, it was announced that ACE was planning to launch its professional T20 league Major League Cricket in 2021, and a developmental league, Minor League Cricket that summer. USA Cricket CEO Iain Higgins stated that ACE had "demonstrated an understanding of the importance of addressing various fundamental issues within the domestic game in the United States", and listed a number of metropolitan areas that the developmental league planned to target for franchises.
Both leagues would be delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States, with Minor League Cricket being delayed to 2021, and Major League Cricket provisionally postponed to 2022 (in May 2021, Major League Cricket would be further-delayed to 2023 due to both the pandemic, and the need to develop more facilities). Minor League Cricket would still soft launch in 2020 with an exhibition league; the draft for the exhibition league began on August 22, 2020, with the teams releasing their squads on August 24.
2021
After the conclusion of the exhibition league, USA Cricket announced that they were planning to launch the inaugural season of Minor League Cricket in the spring of 2021. The season launched on July 31, 2021, and ran until October 3, 2021, where the Silicon Valley Strikers won the finals against the New Jersey Stallions by six wickets to win the inaugural season title. The sanctioning body announced plans to establish women's leagues in the future.
In February 2021, MLC announced plans for a youth version of Minor and Major League Cricket, as part of a pathway to give young cricketers the opportunity to play for official domestic teams and the national team. In June 2022, MLC announced the inaugural season of the Minor League Cricket Youth Tournament (shortened to MiLC Youth), with UST tapped as title sponsor for the tournament. The inaugural season of MiLC Youth was announced to be contested between 11 teams at the Prairie View Cricket Complex in Houston starting July 25, 2022. The finals for the inaugural season took place on July 29 at between the Dallas Mustangs and the New Jersey Stallions, in which the Stallions beat the Mustangs by two wickets.
2022
In January 2022, USA Cricket announced that the 2022 Minor League Cricket season would start on June 25, and conclude with the final on August 28. The 2022 finals were won by the Seattle Thunderbolts, who beat the Atlanta Fire by ten runs to win their maiden MiLC title. It was also announced in June 2022 that the budget for the 2022 season was more than $5 million.
2023
Amid a dispute with USA Cricket, tournament directors pushed for a June 10 start to the 2023 season of Minor League Cricket. However, this was pushed back to August 4, a week ahead of the conclusion of the 2023 Major League Cricket season. The season saw the discontinuation of two franchises, as well as the renaming of two other teams amid managerial shakeups. The season concluded on October 1, with the Dallas Mustangs defeating the NJ Somerset Cavaliers by 44 runs. All matches played during the season were played on either real grass or hybrid wickets.
In June, MiLC signed a deal with Cricket Canada and Boundaries North to help grow the game in the country through the potential formation of around 4-6 teams based in the area. MiLC announced that they were looking into the British Columbia and Greater Toronto Areas for expansion as soon as the 2024 season.
2024
The 2024 season is expected to be played following the conclusion of the 2024 Major League Cricket season, sometime in August.
Welcome to the Minor League Cricket Tournament, an exciting platform that showcases emerging talent and fosters the love for cricket at the grassroots level! This tournament is designed to provide young and aspiring cricketers with the opportunity to compete in a structured and competitive environment, helping them hone their skills and gain invaluable match experience.
**Tournament Overview:**
The Minor League Cricket Tournament features teams from various regions, each representing their local communities. With a focus on inclusivity and sportsmanship, the tournament aims to promote teamwork, discipline, and a passion for the game. Matches will be played in a round-robin format, culminating in thrilling knockout stages that will determine the ultimate champion.
**Key Features:**
- **Diverse Participation:** Teams from different backgrounds and skill levels come together, creating a vibrant and competitive atmosphere.
- **Skill Development:** Players will receive coaching and mentorship from experienced professionals, enhancing their cricketing abilities and understanding of the game.
- **Community Engagement:** The tournament encourages local support, with families and friends coming out to cheer for their teams, fostering a sense of community pride.
- **Scouting Opportunities:** Talent scouts and coaches from higher leagues will be present, providing players with a chance to showcase their skills and potentially advance to professional levels.
**Format:**
- **Teams:** Multiple teams representing various regions.
- **Matches:** A mix of T20 and 50-over formats to cater to different playing styles.
- **Schedule:** Matches will be held over several weeks, culminating in a grand final to crown the champion.
**Join Us:**
Whether you’re a player, coach, or fan, the Minor League Cricket Tournament promises to be an unforgettable experience filled with thrilling matches, emerging talent, and the spirit of cricket. Come witness the future stars of the game and be part of a celebration of cricket that brings communities together!
**Get ready to play, cheer, and celebrate the love of cricket at the Minor League Cricket Tournament!**