Growth of cricket in US a 'slow-burn', says Ponting

Ricky Ponting, a former Australia cricket captain, expressed his view on the slow progress of cricket's growth in the United States. Speaking in a video call to Reuters, the 51-year-old admitted that he expected a faster rise for the sport but acknowledged its potential. Ponting, who now coaches Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, emphasized the need for more grassroots efforts to boost the sport's popularity.

"I think there's such a great opportunity... for people like me to be involved and help grow the game," Ponting stated. The former captain led Washington to their first MLC title in 2024, but they failed to win the championship in the following two seasons.

Ponting was particularly impressed by the U.S. men's national team, which has become more competitive in recent T20 World Cups, even defeating test-playing nations. He believes that once the U.S. national team becomes successful, it will help generate interest at various levels of the game.

Ponting is actively involved in expanding cricket's reach in the U.S., becoming an investor in Century Cricket Centres. The company recently opened their first indoor training facility in New York, featuring technology that tracks players' performance. He believes that focusing on the grassroots level is crucial for the sport's long-term growth in the United States, as it could attract young players away from other sports like baseball.