USACA delighted by West Indies-New Zealand series

International cricket made a successful return to the United States on 30 June and 1 July with the West Indies and New Zealand staging two back to back Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is) at the Central Broward Regional Park Stadium in Lauderhill, Florida. The West Indies won both matches.

New Zealand played Sri Lanka in the first ever T20I in Florida during May 2010.

Near capacity crowds of well over 10,000 for both matches demonstrated the significant appetite for international cricket in the region, while a very good playing surface saw over 650 runs scored across the weekend. This included the West Indies highest T20I score of 209 for 2 in the first match.

The United States of America Cricket Association (USACA) supported this initiative through its commercial arm, Cricket Holdings America LLC (CHALLC).

Gladstone Dainty, Chairman of CHALLC, expressed thanks to the West Indies Cricket Board (WICB) and New Zealand Cricket (NZC) for playing in the United States, and to both Broward County and the City of Lauderhill for their continued interest in helping cricket grow.

"We are all thrilled by this weekend's games, as well as the increased interest in cricket currently being experienced in the USA. As we continue to have more international matches and look to start a T20 league in the USA next year, we anticipate seeing more involvement from Americans in the sport," said Mr Dainty.

"I know that Americans will love the excitement and entertainment that is T20 cricket, and as with so many sports here, become avid fans and loyal supporters."

International Cricket Council (ICC) Global Development Manager Tim Anderson attended the matches and said:

"The US is an important market for cricket's global development, and by successfully staging these fixtures in Florida, the WICB and NZC as Full Members of the ICC have made a key contribution to the ongoing process of building domestic awareness in our Great Sport."