USACA urged to climb down off the fence

The first official challenge to the USA Cricket Association's position on America's ProCricket League has been made in a certified open letter addressed to them by a leading player.

Writing under a "John Doe" signature, the player said: "I have played for the US team and continue to do so as part of the current Team USA squad. Recently I have been approached by the American Pro Cricket Team to participate in their Pro Cricket League competition. I am considering playing because it gives me the opportunity to showcase my cricketing talents and also the fact they pay me a match fee."

He continued: "I am considered one of the best players in my league and Pro Cricket is offering the local leagues and the local teams 50% of their gate revenues in exchange for allowing their best players to play in the Pro Cricket tournament. So if I don't play in the Pro Cricket League tournament, what kind of message are we sending to [our] cricket playing community?

"I am writing to you for a formal response, and request your written permission to play in the American Pro Cricket League tournament. [Your non-response]would mean that USACA has no official policy on playing in the Pro Cricket League tournament or that the officials at USACA are intentionally stalling their response.

"I am also forwarding my request for permission to play in the Pro Cricket League tournament, by e-mail message sent to your attention."

The reason for the anonymity would be obvious to those who are familiar with US cricket. There is a genuine fear among many top-tier US cricketers that USACA, while not taking any official position on ProCricket, would find ways to sanction and penalize those local cricketers who participate in the matches.

For example, according to a report from New Jersey, Ajay Jadeja and Nikhil Chopra are not playing until their situations with Indian authorities are resolved, and none of the Atlantic Region players in the recent US Eastern Conference are playing for the NJ ProCricket team. These actions have not escaped notice, and US cricketers don't wan't to fall into similar traps.

The USACA has, so far, not taken an official position on ProCricket. The rumour is that the board of directors are deeply divided on the issue, with some advocating a friendly if non-committal stance, and others totally opposed to ProCricket. The open letter is intended, no doubt, to bring USACA out of the shadows and subject its intentions to public scrutiny. Perhaps this will clear the air somewhat, and avoid situations like those prevailing in Kenya or Zimbabwe.