Cricket Club Brings Community, Competition to Anderson

Dr. Sanjeev Kumar, Founder Anderson County Cricket Club

There are an estimated 2.5 billion cricket fans worldwide. This makes cricket the second most popular sport in the world, after football (soccer).

The history of cricket in the United States dates to the 18th century, when the game was brought to the country by British colonists. The first recorded cricket match in the United States was played in New York City in 1751. Cricket quickly gained popularity in the United States, and by the early 19th century, there were cricket clubs in many major cities. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, cricket was a major sport in the United States. Several American cricket teams toured England, and the United States even competed in the Olympic Games in 1900.

However, the popularity of cricket in the United States declined in the mid-20th century, as other sports such as baseball and football gained popularity.

Many subcontinent cricket enthusiasts have been playing cricket in and around Anderson for many years. Though there was no dedicated cricket ground in Anderson. Players had to travel 1 hour to Greer to play cricket at a ground which in 2023 was taken away.

In 2021 Anderson County Cricket Club (ACCC) was formed and cricketers used a makeshift area in one of the baseball grounds at Civic center to play cricket. In November of 2021 Dr. Sanjeev Kumar reached out to the City Councilman Don Chapman and County Councilwoman Cindy Wilson along with County Administrator Rusty Burns, and thus the first Cricket ground at the balloon lane came into existence.

The inaugural game was held in March 2022 and since then cricket has been a regular feature in Anderson. Players from all parts of surrounding counties came here to play tournaments. In the first year 245 players came and played in various tournaments. In March of 2023 a second pitch was added to Balloon Lane but the players wanted a place to play under lights. Again, I reached out to Rusty Burns who made that happen earlier this year, thereafter ground 7 at Civic center which has lights was provided to the ACCC and thus the inaugural day and night tournament which is ongoing started and the Inaugural game was played on 4/20 where 650 + spectators came and enjoyed the game with complimentary dinner provided by ACCC.

This has seen an improvement in the cricket related business in our city with players coming from outside and staying here in our hotels and dining here. The current tournament is seeing teams from Columbia, Greenwood, Atlanta and Charleston come and play. Off note in the entire state of SC this is the first ever cricket ground which has lights so that players can play after hours. During the inaugural night game people from around the county who also follow cricket came and enjoyed, from UK, South Africa, Jamaica, Nigeria, Ghana.

Ironically USA along with the Caribbean is hosting the T-20 World cup in which 20 countries are participating, starting June 1, 2024, has added a big impetus to it.

It's a dream come true for the south Asian community and their kids who follow cricket very closely and a game that they hold so dear to their heart. Many of whom are professionals (physicians, engineers), businessmen and Clemson students in our community and for them to have a ground to play after work under lights is just a blessing. A kids-mom club has also been started this year and they are very excited about it. In fact, many locals have reached out to ACCC to arrange a camp where people can come and learn this interesting game.