Stuart Law has been sacked as head coach of the U.S. men’s national team (Photo by Matthew … [+]
Former Australia batter Stuart Law has been sacked as coach of the U.S. men’s national team as the spotlight from power brokers intensifies on the continual tumult engulfing American cricket.
Law, just six months into a three-year contract, was fired after U.S. suffered a 10-wicket thrashing by Scotland in a one-day international qualifier for the 2027 World Cup.
It was a sudden fall from grace for Law, who had overseen U.S.’ remarkable run as co-host of June’s T20 World Cup highlighted by a major upset over powerhouse Pakistan in Dallas.
But the euphoria from that momentous run has quickly eroded as the performances on-field nosedived recently while tensions off it soared. Multiple reports in the U.S. have alleged rampant discrimination in the team.
Law, 56, was appointed as coach in April with USA Cricket power brokers hoping his wealth of experience – having helmed Full Member cricket nations Sri Lanka, West Indies and Bangladesh – would stabilize the national team ahead of the T20 World Cup.
Stuart Law led U.S. on a strong T20 World Cup campaign (Photo by Alex Davidson-ICC/ICC via Getty … [+]
The shock firing and ensuing allegations have sent shockwaves within American cricket and is the latest wildfire for governing body USA Cricket, which in August appointed Johnathan Atkeison as its chief executive following a spate of resignations amid familiar warring.
As I first reported in July, USA Cricket was put ‘on notice’, a sanction that would move the governing body closer to a suspension of its membership. Being put ‘on notice’ is akin to being ‘rapped on the knuckles’, as described by a veteran administrator.
But the financial pinch is felt when members are suspended and their funding halted. If USA Cricket remained non-compliant after one year then it could face suspension and ultimately expulsion as a member.
It is learned that the state of USA Cricket was discussed at the recent International Cricket Council board meetings, but the U.S remains a target market with cricket part of the Los Angeles Olympics.
As I first reported in April, USA Cricket avoided calls for suspension from some directors on the all-powerful ICC board, with one even demanding a suspension.
Its funding was placed under the ‘control’ of the ICC, who had to make payments on its behalf (using USA’s share of the ICC’s money).
Cricket will be part of the Los Angeles Olympics (Photo by INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP via Getty Images)
While tumult continues, confidence does remain high over the direction of America’s well-heeled pro T20 league.
The six-team Major League Cricket is privately owned, not run under the umbrella of USA Cricket, and has enjoyed an encouraging first couple of seasons. Top cricket stars around the world have been lured, while the tournament has shown promising signs financially.
“We are still in an investment mode,” San Francisco Unicorns co-owner Anand Rajaraman told me. “I don’t think we are anywhere close to breaking even or anything like that.
“It’ll probably take us a few years to get there, but things seem to be progressing in the right direction. We’ve done quite well in terms of sponsorships and I’m hoping that continues to grow.”
It’s a tonic needed for American cricket amid usual choppy waters in the aftermath of Law’s ousting.
