Get Ready, America !!!!! Here Comes the First U. S. CRICKET OPEN

In the fall of 1854, the governing directors of the prestigious Philadelphia Cricket Club (PCC) set a club policy that would literally change the face or faces of cricket in the United States. A few months earlier in August 1854, the PCC founding fathers, who were predominantly English expatriates, decreed that the Philadelphia Cricket Club would not allow young American cricket players, like the talented Walter Newhall, to join the PCC or gain cricket experience through match participation with or against them. 155 years later, the cricket players of America now have their very own United States Cricket Open. Just like the “OPEN” format of major U. S. Golf and Tennis Opens, the U. S. Cricket Open has had over 48 cricket teams competing throughout the year to qualify for the final field of 8. Players, coaches, officials and fans will converge on sunny South Florida for the Tournament to be held December 4 - 6, 2009. The US Cricket Open will be played in colored clothing and white balls that will be provided by Cricket Council USA. The qualifying field of eight teams will be split into two divisions – American and National. After a round-robin competition within each division, the best record from each division will play for the Championship and the $10,000 first prize. The semi-finals and championship matches will be played in America’s first Cricket Stadium - the Central Broward Regional Park located in Lauderhill, Florida.