Major League Cricket: ‘Aim is to try and get the local US citizens to gravitate towards cricket’ – Dwayne Bravo | Cricket News
Every time I return for a season of Major League Cricket (MLC), I see progress. This is MLC Season 3, and it’s already showing signs of becoming something truly special – not just for the fans who show up in numbers, but also for the players, coaches, and everyone behind the scenes trying to make cricket big in the United States.When I first got involved, people were still unsure whether this was a passing interest or a long-term vision. Well, three seasons in, it’s clear we’re here to stay. The quality of cricket has improved. The local talent has gotten better. The international stars are turning up in big numbers. And now, we’re playing in iconic venues like the Oakland Coliseum – that’s growth.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!Of course, there are challenges. The US isn’t like India or the Caribbean where cricket is integral. Most of the current fanbase comes from South Asian, West Indian or South African communities – people who brought the game with them. The next step is getting more Americans involved, and that’s going to take time and investment. But you know what? We’ve already started, and that’s what matters.
As a coach, I love being part of this journey. My job isn’t just to strategise during the match – it’s also to pass on what I’ve learned, to help these young players understand the tempo of the game and to bring out their best. The skills are there. The passion is there. Now it’s about building confidence, playing fearlessly, and learning how to adapt.Infrastructure is another big piece to the puzzle. Our owners are already investing in a stadium in Los Angeles, and with the Olympics coming up in 2028, I hope that stadium will one day host cricket on the world’s biggest stage. That’s the vision. Franchises will hopefully build their own grounds and start academies. That’s how you create a pipeline.
Dwayne Bravo is the head coach of the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the Major League Cricket. (Sportzpics)
We’ve already seen signs that this system is working. The USA national team surprised a lot of people at the T20 World Cup. Some of those players came through the MLC system. Imagine what can happen in five more years.Will cricket ever be as big as baseball or basketball in the US? I’m not sure. For a sport to reach that level here, it has to be homegrown, something the entire country embraces. But don’t count us out. There are powerful owners, passionate fans, and most importantly, players who are hungry.
Fans waving the Los Angeles Knight Riders flag during a match in the Major League Cricket. (Sportzpics)
With the Olympics, World Cups and ICC events on the calendar, cricket now has the global stage. The US can be a part of that – in fact, it already is.And me? I’m loving this phase. Coaching feels like my calling. I’ve had my time on the field. Now it’s about helping others find their moment. Teaching players to love the game, stay grounded, and stay hungry – that’s what matters.The US is learning to love cricket. The fans are coming. The players are ready. And the best is still to come.(The article is authored by Dwayne Bravo, head coach of the Los Angeles Knight Riders franchise in the Major League Cricket. He has been associated with MLC for two seasons as player and now as coach. The 41-year-old played 295 international matches for West Indies across Tests, ODIs and T20Is. Bravo has been part of the Knight Riders group with the Trinbago Knight Riders in the Caribbean Premier League.)
