Cricket is the second most popular sport in the world, enjoying  huge popularity in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia and the West Indies. It’s the second most popular sport in England, South Africa, New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Kenya, UAE, Afghanistan and Mauritius. The total cricket-watching population in around 30 countries is in excess of a billion people - and almost all of them except England and Australia have cricketing culture of less than 100 years.

However, a country which started playing some 200 years ago - with the first ever international match - is missing from the elite list. Interestingly that country is the USA. Historians believe the game's popularity was lost during World War One when baseball took centre stage. Had Twenty20 been invented during that period, would cricket given all other sports in the USA run for their money? I think it could have provided that the format had it been invented by America and not the English.

America does not follow blindly behind anyone, particularly the English, but they might take up an idea, bring in their own added value and take the sport to the market. American Football derived from rugby and baseball derived from cricket. Cricket can grow in America by only one means, by targeting the million-plus South-east Asian community in the country.

Twenty20 cricket may help the cause and international competitions should be organised, involving India. Cricket could be easily understood by Americans due to its similarity with baseball; the exchange of ideas between the two sports would be crucial  for both to grow. Then cricket can expect to blossom in the US while baseball will find it easier to penetrate India and the cricketing fraternity.