USA set to host its first-ever ODI in September 2019

The first-ever international game of cricket was played between the United States and the British Province of Canada in 1844. One hundred and seventy-five years since that game played in New York, the US are now set to host their first-ever ODI at home and the opponents are Papua New Guinea (PNG). On September 13, the US will take on the PNG in the first match of the second tri-series of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 with Namibia being the remaining side.

Teams like India and the West Indies locked horns in limited-over games on the American soil in the recent past but they have all been T20Is. Last month, India played two T20Is against the Caribbeans at Lauderhill, Florida, and won both.

The tri-series featuring six games will be a stepping stone towards the ICC World Cup 2023 and the US and Namibia will make their debuts in the Men’s CWC League 2 competition. PNG have already participated in their second series. The participating teams will play four ODIs in 11 days in Fort Lauderdale between September 13 and 23.

A crucial series for all teams aiming to play in WC 2023

The series will be crucial one for teams that are not too far away from the next World Cup to be held in India. The qualifier for the showpiece event will take place in 2022 and it makes this series extremely important for the top three teams in League 2. Four of the 36 ODIs that the US, PNG and Namibia will play each over a period of two-and-half years will take place at Fort Lauderdale and a maximum of eight points are up for the grabs.

Last month, the tri-series 1 of the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup League 2 took place with PNG looking to pick their first point of the competition. Scotland are located above Oman on net run-rate with both teams having won three matches each.

PNG will also aim to pick points in the upcoming series for the ICC Men’s ODI team rankings. While the USA and PNG will play on September 13 and 19, PNG will lock horns with Namibia on September 22 and 23. The US will play Namibia on September 17 and 20.