Professional cricket to make its debut in the USA

After several years of speculation, it appears that professional cricket is about to make its debut in the United States.

American Professional Cricket (APC) has just announced its team and player rosters and match schedule for the 2004 season, beginning in Florida on June 18 and continuing through the end of August.

There are eight franchised sides, divided into two conferences of four - with each team playing the other three on a home and away basis - and crucially, a TV contract has reportedly been agreed.

The teams are based in New York, New Jersey, Washington DC, Florida, Dallas, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The season will culminate in an All-Star game in August with Las Vegas the likely location.

The matches will be played in the 20-overs a side format, familiar to British fans who last summer gave an enthusiastic welcome to Twenty20 cricket.

The USA Cricket Association has a 10-region set-up, with 600 clubs and up to 15,000 club cricketers. But the big difference is that APC players will be handsomely rewarded for their involvement, with salaries of up to $60,000 being talked about for an entire season. Up to five overseas players can play for each team and sports agents around the world were contacted in the search for high-profile names.

The fruits of APC's labors are evident in the team rosters, with first-class players from across the world represented in the ranks of each of the eight teams. There is also some expectation that "rebel" Zimbabwe players might be persuaded to fill up some of the team rosters, but this has not been confirmed as of yet.

The quality of the cricket on offer remains to be seen. But this is something new in US cricket, and it should be an interesting summer.