Warne, Tendulkar want to mimic Beckham in US
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NEW YORK: David Beckham is the millionaire model, sportsman and nice guy credited with helping make soccer more popular in the United States (US). And now Shane Warne wants to do the same for cricket.
The Australian spin king has jetted into New York with Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar to embark on an exhibition tour designed to get baseball-loving Americans up to speed with a sport few of them understand, play or ever watch.
"Cricket is second only to football in terms of world popularity," Shane Warne said
"We don't think it's a gamble, we think Americans are ready," said Warne in a nod to his sideline as a poker player.
Warne and Tendulkar will captain two sides — Warne's Warriors and Sachin's Blasters — that will showcase the talents of some of the greatest stars in world cricket, playing three Twenty20 three-hours games in New York, Houston and Los Angeles (LA).
"We're here to establish cricket in America" Sachin Tendulkar said. "The next time we come here it would be nice to find an American kid with a cricket bat in his hand alongside a baseball bat."
Among the talent on the Blasters are Graeme Swann, Brian Lara, Curtly Ambrose, Glenn McGrath, Mahela Jayawardena, Muttiah Muralitharan Moin Khan and Shoaib Akhtar.
Included in the Warriors are Ajit Agarkar, Matthew Hayden, Courtney Walsh, Ricky Ponting, Kumar Sangakara, Michael Vaughan Wasim Akram and Saqlain Mushtaq.
They may not be as quick as they were 10 years ago, but these retired stars insist they've lost none of their skills — nor their competitive streak.
"We're going to go out there and play as hard as we possibly can, and we're going to win. Simple as that," said Warne.
"We're good friends, but not on the field," said Tendulkar. "We want to go out and not disappoint the fans... We want to win the hearts of as many people as possible here."
The International Cricket Council (ICC)-sanctioned Cricket All Stars tour will feature short-format Twenty20 matches in New York, Houston and Los Angeles starting from Nov 7 at Citi Field, home to Major League Baseball’s New York Mets.
The other games of the tour will be played at the Houston Astos’ Minute Maid Park on Nov 11 and Dodger Stadium on Nov 14.
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On DawnNews
Comments (81) Closed
Nov 06, 2015 02:55pm
I hope there is some arrangement for live telecast of the matches on the internet.
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Nov 06, 2015 03:00pm
Its all fixed.
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Nov 06, 2015 03:07pm
@sana-1 Just like cricket in recent times (specially after 92 World cup).
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Nov 06, 2015 03:11pm
@sana-1 so what?
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Nov 06, 2015 03:13pm
Who will see them in US
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Nov 06, 2015 03:14pm
Indians in US will make Cricket famous.
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Nov 06, 2015 03:15pm
Sachin team will win as Shoaib is in his Team
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Nov 06, 2015 03:17pm
China can be bigger market of cricket than US.
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Nov 06, 2015 03:20pm
I don't think it will be a big hit in terms of attracting non-Asian or expatriates spectators, because, realistically speaking, the fan following of cricket is dominated by third world developing countries like India, Bangladesh, Pakistan etc. where people usually have ample time at their disposal. Moreover, cricket is a game made alive by young fans, who will attract young americans to cricket, it is a tough ask.
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Nov 06, 2015 03:23pm
Ajit Agarkar?!
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Nov 06, 2015 03:34pm
@Concerned Citizen Sky sports is telecasting live. This is for sure but i dont know which Sky sports :)
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Nov 06, 2015 03:47pm
Sachin Tendulkar will ring opening bell at NY Stock Exchange ....what an hounour
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Nov 06, 2015 03:55pm
first step by shane n sachin one giant step for world cricket
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Nov 06, 2015 03:57pm
Too many starts at one place! Wow!!
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Nov 06, 2015 04:02pm
Inclusion of Ajit Agarkar and leaving Nasir Jamshed is clear discrimination with the latter.
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Nov 06, 2015 04:02pm
@Divergence All ticket is sold out.
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Nov 06, 2015 04:04pm
@Divergence The cricket was played inUS is 18th century if you are not aware . They is huge huge follower of cricket in US
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Nov 06, 2015 04:04pm
@Divergence Just wait and see. Tickets in Houston is being sold for $750.00 on per ticket via ticket masters . It is sold out game already.
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Nov 06, 2015 04:08pm
Useless.
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Nov 06, 2015 04:10pm
What is ajit agarkar doing in this team?? If this the benchmark then Rana Naveed & atta ur Rehman, shall easily qualify from Pakistan.
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Nov 06, 2015 04:18pm
@Sunil so you still live in 18th century :)
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Nov 06, 2015 04:18pm
Its so nice to see all of these great players after such a long time .. felt so blessed having watched all these brilliant cricketers in the 1990's.
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Nov 06, 2015 04:19pm
@stranger agreed
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Nov 06, 2015 04:23pm
@stranger correct
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Nov 06, 2015 04:27pm
@Divergence the richest Diaspora in US " INDIANS" will make it famous
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Nov 06, 2015 04:29pm
Even here in the group photo, Glenn McGrath is behind Ajit Agarkar. reminds us of his 5 ducks against the Aussies.
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Nov 06, 2015 04:30pm
@Padmakar Indians wont make it famous .. , they will make it controversial !
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Nov 06, 2015 04:35pm
Well done guys. Keep it up. You are the ambassodors of the cricket.
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Nov 06, 2015 04:43pm
@dedar
Nasir Jamshed who?
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Nov 06, 2015 04:57pm
what a pic of all super stars.i lyk so much to see them.
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Nov 06, 2015 05:42pm
stunning pix - love to see all the stars in one room!
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Nov 06, 2015 05:49pm
Old retired players with an average age of 45 can never attract serious cricket loving crowds. People would surely love to watch some competitive games of current players. It should have been Asia vs the rest
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Nov 06, 2015 05:56pm
They are making money!! Its just they are earning more money by playing more cricket
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Nov 06, 2015 06:27pm
OMG... Love to see these All Stars in one frame.. Marvelous!!!!!
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Nov 06, 2015 06:43pm
Its Houston Astros not Astos. Cricket will never work in NA. For one, anything in NA needs billions of dollars of investments. Two America cricket in baseball they already have a set sport that is part of their culture and history. Three America is set and saturated with long team sports. Baseball, basketball football and hockey take up all the time and money they have for sports. ICC should focus on making cricket popular in Ireland, Middle East, Central Asia and China.
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Nov 06, 2015 06:47pm
So what will shiv sena do to Tendulkar? After all he recruited Pakistani players in his team. Or is Shiv Sena limited to only Bollywood.
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Nov 06, 2015 07:16pm
How nice it would be if Jacques Kallis, Graeme Smith, Kevin Pieterson, and Ravi Board are included.
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Nov 06, 2015 07:20pm
The Legends Sachin, Muttaih, Warne and Lara!!
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Nov 06, 2015 07:22pm
Look at this.. Sachin hugging Shoaib.. all smiles.. no Indo- Pakistan venom.. this is sports.. this is great example of sportsmanship..
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Nov 06, 2015 07:24pm
@Divergence Several of my friends have already bought tickets for the game for $190 per seat. This will be a sold out game. There are many fans of cricket in the USA and many leagues. I myself is part of a great cricket league. Cricket is the fastest growing sport in the USA and pretty soon we'll have more facilities here for cricket players than anywhere in the world.
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Nov 06, 2015 07:36pm
New version of the game in the making in the USA
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Nov 06, 2015 07:43pm
They all here in USA to have fun and make some money ..... will this really promote cricket in USA (I mean US people not Pakistani, Indians or Sri Lankans who are US citizens now) not a chance.
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Nov 06, 2015 07:53pm
On Sky sports in UK @5:45pm tomorrow
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Nov 06, 2015 08:01pm
@Billu You are all addressing me as I am the only one who is skeptical about cricket's fortune in USA. See across the board, there are some other voices who agree with me
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Nov 06, 2015 08:15pm
@Mahendra Singh Yes I agree, that is a wonderful touch.
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Nov 06, 2015 08:20pm
anyway, whether it succeeds or not, it is nobody's business. Perhaps some of us like me are bored with cricket because we are seeing too much of it.
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Nov 06, 2015 08:22pm
What a lovely sight of legends smiling together.
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Nov 06, 2015 08:33pm
Nice article dawn.. Thumbs up
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Nov 06, 2015 09:02pm
Cricket could not even be the most popular sport in England,Australia,New Zealand,South Africa and West Indies where it has played at a very high success rate for quiet some time. This is just a marketing ploy to make some quick bucks under the guise of "cricket promotion".
IF this is really a promotion tour then start with countries which are striving to become full members like Ireland,Scotland etc. to get more people involved to prop up their fragile systems.
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Nov 06, 2015 09:25pm
In Houston the ticket price to watch the match at the ground is $70. Really that will bring all the americans in drove! You are introducing a game which is dying never made it in Europe even though played in UK. Best of luck.
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Nov 06, 2015 09:35pm
Sachin Tendulkar and Warne did the opening bell at New York Stock Exchange today. Broadcast live on all American business channels.
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Nov 06, 2015 09:35pm
If White America starts playing cricket like they play Baseball,American football, and Basket Ball...it will be very big for cricket..but the end of the big three
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Nov 06, 2015 09:47pm
@sana-1 this is to promote cricket in USA. We have a lots of talent here but no sponsors and most of the local people dont know much about this game.
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Nov 06, 2015 10:14pm
Living in US, I can tell you that this will be a failed attempt. Americans are contempt with the top 3 sports they play, Baseball, basketball and American football. Soccer, being such a phenomenal game worldwide, is only mildly popular here and only watched during world cup. As much as i would like the game to be popular here, Americans will not be very supporting of this. This game is only popular among the South Asians here.
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Nov 06, 2015 10:18pm
nice pics...hope to see soon...
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Nov 06, 2015 11:11pm
American are not ready to adopt any new game . Soccer give it best try but totally failed. Two totally boring game American football and baseball is in there DNA now . Even game like Tennis or any other international sports is dying in US.
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Nov 06, 2015 11:17pm
Only some Asian/Americans will be attracted to play cricket in america as it is already being done,Wasm Akram has been trying to promote cricket in America for quite some time but faile in making any headway.
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Nov 06, 2015 11:38pm
Pretty cool and nice to see all stars/legends on one platform....Good Luck to both teams!!!
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Nov 07, 2015 12:23am
We are talking here all the BIG names of Cricket. I would love to see the live telecast, if any.
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Nov 07, 2015 12:48am
Only way this was going to work is, if they had included Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Javed Minadad, and Sunil Gawsker. This project is doomed from the beginning.
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Nov 07, 2015 03:20am
This effort to popularize will fail. I don't think Sachin and Warne are doing it to promote cricket. They are promoting to make big bucks. I think they will. All the Sachin crazy Indians in US will be there. They will get their money and that will be history. Soccer is gaining popularity slowly. It has taken 20 years to get there. Do Sachin/Warne have a long term plan to promote the game? What is the organization that is promoting this sport? This is quick big bucks for them
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Nov 07, 2015 03:50am
It will be a big flop. Americans don't have time for anything beyond a brief 20/20 format that is done in a few hours. At best it will be desis showing up to watch this stuff.
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Nov 07, 2015 03:51am
@Tamilselvan
Yes but all purchased by desis (Indians, Pakistanis, BDs etc.) Not exactly the target market that these organizers are hoping for.
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Nov 07, 2015 05:11am
just remember lot south Asian are living in usa. for us we will be only fans of legends.
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Nov 07, 2015 06:52am
@sana-1 now that Pakistan won two tests against England, which of these matches are fixed? None. But if tomorrow Pakistan looses against England in England, then the matches are fixed! India loosing to SA, matches are not fixed, SA loosing to India, match is fixed.
Change your lookout and enjoy games.
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Nov 07, 2015 08:10am
Befitting that cricket be back in America! And starting in New York. After all, world's very first international cricket match between two countries was played between--- guess who? United States of America and British Empire Colonies of Canada. The year was 1844 and 20,000 people watched the game. Canada won, I guess by 23 or so runs. I bet not very many American's or for that matter people of the world know this history. I read it in an in flight magazine. Cheers!
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Nov 07, 2015 08:35am
@RPK well said. That well summarises this here
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Nov 07, 2015 11:13am
The game maybe a sell out - but I'd like to know how many fans who turn up are ethnic Indians/Pakistanis and how many are White Americans (The largest ethnic group in the USA)?...Only when you have the largest ethnic group selling out cricket matches in the USA, can you really say Cricket has reached the shores of America...
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Nov 07, 2015 11:53am
Only sachin is Retired...... rest are new joinee......
lol.....
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Nov 07, 2015 01:38pm
@Concerned Citizen
Watch star sports 2 or HD2, 3 or HD3 at 9:30 IST tonight. That's where you can watch it live on television if you're in India!
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Nov 07, 2015 03:27pm
@fida ajit agarkar who???. Americans are obsessed about their games and it is impossible to start cricket in America except the Asian community...they even don't know who Akram Tendulkar Warne are.... They may come to see the game but no chance of penetrating the game there...but anyhow it's a good try...good luck to all
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Nov 07, 2015 05:48pm
Someone should tell Shane and Sachin that you guys totally screwed up the timing of launching these events. Right now everyone in USA is following Super Bowl. No one watches anything else. No baseball, no car racing no golf no other sports. Super Bowl in on everyone's mind and that's it.
They should have launched these initial matches in January or February or even later.
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Nov 07, 2015 06:06pm
@Divergence
Let the event happen and then we will judge.
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Nov 07, 2015 09:15pm
@True Blue Indian Judge what, you guys totally missed the point that I raised, I am skeptical about non-Asians (those people who are not from cricket playing nations), could someone show how many "Arabs" watch cricket which is played in countries like United Arab Emirates? I think everyone can affirm, not many. So you guys have just arranged a cricket event for the Asians living in USA. Good luck with that
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Nov 08, 2015 04:56am
They can do cricket famous in US. ALL THE BEST guys !!
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Nov 08, 2015 05:43am
@Bilal Khan Super Bowl is in February @California
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Nov 08, 2015 06:09am
@KHI lol. He must be thinking what am I doing here? Maybe it's retired and available.
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Nov 08, 2015 06:11am
@Zala only to Bollywood. Sachin is from Mumbai and they can't touch him.
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Nov 08, 2015 07:18am
Well, Here in USA ball game is altogether different. American Football and Baseball is extremly popular in all states and it would notbe wrong to call this close to epidemics. This factor left hardly any room for Cricket to attract bigger audience.
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Nov 08, 2015 07:19am
It shall be fun and good show to watch.
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Nov 09, 2015 07:33am
in the US. Here is list of popular sports ranked based on popularity and money.
(American) Football
Basketball
Baseball
Hockey (ice)
Golf
College Football
College Basketball
Tennis
Swimming
Track & Field
Womens soccer
Basically no room for any form of cricket
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