Cricket is one of the most popular and spectator riveting sports in the world. However, for it to be called a truly global game it needs to expand its reach and be played in more countries. The USA has a large population of expatriates from the sub-continent who have a huge interest in the game but whose appetite is whetted only by watching their favourite stars on television rather than watch them live at the ground. All that will hopefully change this weekend when India clash with the West Indies for 2 T20Is.

Even people from countries other than the sub-continent can take a liking to the game because of its similarity with baseball. Seeing the crowd response to the first game, the USA is definitely a market which can be tapped and the way forward is to arrange more clashes between the top nations. This will encourage more natives in the US to play the game and try and pursue it as a viable profession.

In cricket, the ultimate thrill for a batsman is to send the ball soaring into the stands for a six. In baseball the equivalent of a six is called a home run where the striker hits the ball into the crowd. In cricket if the bowler manages to dislodge the bails with a legal delivery then the batsman is out bowled. In baseball, if a pitcher manages to beat the hitter and throw the ball over the plate then it gets counted as a strike. However, he has to achieve this feat thrice to dismiss the hitter.

Another similarity between baseball and cricket is that the striker of the ball is out caught if the fielder catches the delivery on the full without it bouncing on the ground. The situation with a run out is also identical in the two sports.

So, there are enough similarities to intrigue the interest of the spectators and if marketed properly then the game can become a huge hit in the US.