T20 World Cup 2024: Know journey of some of the top USA players.
The USA Cricket Team has made an exhilarating entry as one of the most exciting associate members at the ICC T20 World Cup 2024. The cricketing carnival is a historic moment for Team USA, marking their second major international big-stage appearance in two decades, following 2004 Champions Trophy in England.
The United States of America alongside the West Indies are hosting the T20 World Cup 2024. While West Indies have won the trophy twice, USA will aim for an impactful first campaign in the tourney.
On that note, let us check out the players to watch out for in USA’s squad for the T20 World Cup.
Aaron Jones
Aaron Jones made a significant impact as USA secured a seven-wicket victory in the T20 World Cup opener. He scored an unbeaten knock of 94 from just 40 balls against Canada. Jones also hit the second-highest individual score on T20 WC debut, only behind the legendary Chris Gayle.
He was born on October 19, 1994, in New York, to parents of West Indies origin. Jones, born into the West Indies, always dreamed of playing for the Caribbean nation. However, the 29-year-old had to settle for the United States, which in itself is no small feat.
In his early days, Jones played alongside current Windies internationals, Shai Hope and Jason Holder, against the likes of Nicholas Pooran and Rovman Powell. He represented the USA for the first time in a T20 game against the UAE on March 15, 2019.
Aaron Jones has plied his trade in various T20 leagues around the world. He was selected by Rangpur Riders for Bangladesh Premier League 2023 and also by Seattle Orcas in Major League Cricket 2023. Jones has also been a part of the St. Kitts and Nevis Patriots in the Caribbean Premier League.
Andries Gous
American wicket-keeper Andries Gous played the perfect second fiddle to Aaron Jones as USA defeated Canada by seven wickets in the opening clash of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup 2024 on Sunday. He was born in Welkom, South Africa. Gous moved to the USA in 2021 and made his debut for USA only in April this year.
He has played for various professional teams including the United States of America, Abu Dhabi Knight Riders, Free State, Morrisville Unity, Samp Army, South Africa Under-19s and Washington Freedom. He has a vast and widespread record in domestic cricket, having played 60 first-class matches, 57 List A games and 53 T20s.
Steven Taylor
Steven Taylor was one of the youngest players to ever represent the USA in men's cricket, making the squad for the first time as a 14-year-old. His full debut in 2010 came at the tender age of 15. Initially a part-time wicket-keeper, he transitioned away from keeping and became a proficient off-spin bowler.
Recently, he has also taken on the mantle of captaincy. He made history, becoming the highest paid franchise cricketer in US history when the Guyana Amazon Warriors acquired him for $30,000 at the 2017 CPL draft.
Steven Taylor was born on November 9, 1993, in Florida. His first major assignment was the 2010 ICC Under-19 Cricket World Cup in New Zealand, where he was selected on the back of his impressive performances. Taylor was selected as vice-captain for the ICC Americas Under-19 Championship held in their own ground in Florida in the 2010–11 season.
Following his performances in the domestic and Under-19 arena, he was given the call-up to play in the USA's 2010 ICC World Cricket League Division Four campaign, where they gained promotion from Division Five. He was named in America's squad for the 2015 ICC World T20 Qualifier but withdrew after securing a contract with Barbados Tridents in the Caribbean Premier League. He was also included in the draft of foreign players in Pakistan Super League 2017.
Ali Khan
Mohammad Ahsan Ali Khan, also known as Ali Khan, has an interesting career path unlike most of his USA teammates. Ali, born in Attock, Pakistan, on December 13, 1990, moved to the USA with his parents at the age of 19 in 2010.
He became an American citizen in 2017, but didn't make his USA debut until the 2019 ICC World Cricket League Division Two tournament. Ali, who has played plenty of franchise cricket over the years, first caught the limelight in ICC Americas' open trial held in Indianapolis.
In 2016, he gained prominence after dismissing Kumar Sangakkara with his first ball in the Caribbean Premier League. In 2018, Ali was selected for the Khulna Titans squad in the 2018-19 Bangladesh Premier League draft. After a successful career in franchise cricket, he was chosen by Kolkata Knight Riders during the Indian Premier League 2020 auction.
Last year, Ali also played for the Los Angeles Knight Riders in the inaugural season of Major League Cricket in 2023. Ali found himself in all sorts of trouble in 2023 after he was banned for two games by the ICC for a Level 1 breach of the ICC Code of Conduct. The ban was imposed on Ali after he gave a fiery send off to Jersey batter Elliot Miles in the 2023 Cricket World Cup Qualifier Play-off.
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