Seattle Thunderbolts

Last updated

Seattle Thunderbolts
Seattle Thunderbolts Logo.jpg
League Minor League Cricket
ConferenceWestern Division (Pacific Conference)
Personnel
Captain Harmeet Singh
OwnerSeattle Sports LLC
Phani Chitneni
Vijay Beniwal
Salman Taj
Chief executivePhani Chitneni
Vijay Beniwal
Salman Taj
Team information
City Seattle, Washington
Colours  Pink, and   Blue.
Founded2021;2 years ago (2021)
Home groundKlahanie Park, Klahanie, Washington
Marymoor Park, Redmond, Washington
History
MiLC  wins1 (2022)
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T20 kit

The Seattle Thunderbolts are an American professional Twenty20 franchise cricket team that compete in Minor League Cricket (MiLC). The team is based in Seattle, Washington. It was formed in 2021 as part of 3 new teams to compete in Minor League Cricket. [1] The franchise is owned by Seattle Sports LLC, as part of its cricket development program, owned by Phani Chitneni, Vijay Beniwal, and Salman Taj. [2]

Contents

The team's home ground is Klahanie Park and Marymoor Park, both located in the Eastside region of King County, Washington. [3] Harmeet Singh was named as captain, while Andries Gous was named as vice-captain for the team. [4]

The current leading run-scorer is Andries Gous, [5] with the highest wicket-taker being Shadley van Schalkwyk. [6]

Franchise history

Background

Talks of an American Twenty20 league started in November 2018 just before USA Cricket became the new governing body of cricket in the United States. [7] [8] In May 2021, USA Cricket announced they had accepted a bid by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) for a US$1 billion investment covering the league and other investments benefitting the U.S. national teams. [9]

In an Annual General Meeting on February 21, 2020, it was announced that USA Cricket was planning to launch Major League Cricket in 2021 and Minor League Cricket that summer, [10] but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic [11] and due to the lack of high-quality cricket stadiums in the USA. [12] Major League Cricket was pushed to a summer-2023 launch [13] and Minor League Cricket was pushed back to July 31, 2021. [14]

USA Cricket CEO Iain Higgins pointed out cities such as New York City, Houston and Los Angeles with a large cricket fanbase, and targeted them among others as launch cities for Minor League Cricket. [15]

2021 season

Before the season's drafting, USA Cricket and American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) announced 3 new teams for the 2021 season including the Seattle Thunderbolts, the Manhattan Yorkers, and the St. Louis Americans. [16] Ahead of the official season, which was announced to kick off on July 31, [17] they announced Harmeet Singh as captain and Andries Gous as vice-captain. [2]

For their first four matches of the season, they lost by a margin of 7, 6, 2, and 7 wickets, [18] [19] [20] before going on a 6-match winning streak. [21] [22] Their winning streak was ended due to a 46-run loss against the Michigan Cricket Stars. [23] They then lost back-to-back matches against the Golden State Grizzlies and the East Bay Blazers, [24] before winning by 7 wickets against the Silicon Valley Strikers in their last match of the season. [25]

They ended off the group stage with 7 wins and 7 losses, ending up in 4th place in their division, thus not qualifying for the finals. [26]

2022 season

Ahead of the 2022 season, Major League Cricket announced that the draft for that season would take place on May 12. [27]

Current squad

NameNationalityBirth dateBatting styleBowling styleYear signedNotes
Batsmen
Andries Gous Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 24 November 1993 (age 29)Right-handedRight-arm off spin 2021Overseas Vice-captain
Deepak RajendranFlag of the United States.svg  United States 9 September 1997 (age 25)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2021
Harmeet Singh Flag of India.svg  India 7 September 1992 (age 30)Right-handed Left-arm orthodox spin 2021Overseas Captain
Karan RaoFlag of India.svg  India 1 August 1989 (age 33)Left-handedRight-arm off break 2021Overseas
Manu JacobFlag of the United States.svg  United States 24 April 1984 (age 39)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2021
Nital VasavadaFlag of the United States.svg  United States 15 July 2001 (age 22)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2021
All-rounders
Abir ChippaFlag of the United States.svg  United States 13 February 1995 (age 28)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2021
Damodhar BhatFlag of the United States.svg  United States 17 December 1991 (age 31)Right-handedRight-arm off break 2021
Jagroop RainaFlag of the United States.svg  United States 30 September 1998 (age 24)Left-handedRight-arm medium 2021
Rishab MohanFlag of the United States.svg  United States 10 June 2003 (age 20)Right-handedRight-arm medium 2021
Sahil KancherlaFlag of the United States.svg  United States 25 April 2000 (age 23)Right-handedRight-arm off spin 2021
Shadley van Schalkwyk Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 5 August 1988 (age 34)Left-handedLeft-arm fast 2021Overseas
Ujjawal PatelFlag of the United States.svg  United States 19 July 1992 (age 31)Right-handedRight-arm fast medium 2021
Varun PotlapallyFlag of the United States.svg  United States 9 April 1997 (age 26)Right-handedRight-arm off break 2021
Phani SimhadriFlag of the United States.svg  United States 13 May 2002 (age 21)Right-handedRight-arm medium fast 2021
Wicket-keepers
Mudi PrajithFlag of India.svg  India 17 September 1989 (age 33)Right-handed2021Overseas
Bowlers
Anirudh SrinivasFlag of the United States.svg  United States 8 March 1997 (age 26)Right-handedRight-arm medium fast 2021
Manoj PanwarFlag of the United States.svg  United States 5 June 1998 (age 25)Right-handedRight-arm fast 2021

See also

Related Research Articles

Andries Gous is a South African cricketer. He was included in the Free State cricket team for the 2015 Africa T20 Cup. In August 2017, he was named in Jo'burg Giants' squad for the first season of the T20 Global League. The following month, he scored a century for Free State in the semi-final of the 2017 Africa T20 Cup against Namibia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Major League Cricket</span> Main American Twenty20 cricket league

Major League Cricket (MLC) is a professional Twenty20 cricket league in the United States. Operated by American Cricket Enterprises (ACE) and sanctioned by USA Cricket, it began play on July 13, 2023, with six teams representing major U.S. cities under a single-entity model. The first season is taking place over three weeks at Grand Prairie Stadium in Grand Prairie, Texas, and Church Street Park in Morrisville, North Carolina, concluding on July 30, 2023. In 2021, the development league for MLC, Minor League Cricket (MiLC), completed its inaugural season, which was contested by 27 franchise-based teams.

Rishi Bhardwaj is an Indian cricketer. He made his Twenty20 debut on 5 March 2021, for Kandy Customs Cricket Club in the 2020–21 SLC Twenty20 Tournament in Sri Lanka. Later in the year, he moved to the United States. In June 2021, Bhardwaj was selected to play for the Atlanta Fire in Minor League Cricket in the United States. Seattle Thunderbolts

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Minor League Cricket</span> Developmental American Twenty20 cricket league affiliated with Major League Cricket

Minor League Cricket is an American Twenty20 cricket developmental league for Major League Cricket which completed its first season in 2021, after it was delayed from a mid-to-late 2020 start due to the COVID-19 pandemic. It consists of 26 teams from four regions. The league began its regional draft process in late-August 2020, and a series of exhibition games in September 2020. The draft for the league began on June 4, 2021. The Strikers won the inaugural finals against the New Jersey Stallions by 6 wickets, with the Thunderbolts winning the 2022 finals against the Atlanta Fire by 10 runs.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Houston Hurricanes (cricket)</span> Houston-based cricket team in Minor League Cricket

The Houston Hurricanes are an American professional Twenty20 franchise cricket team that compete in Minor League Cricket (MiLC). The team is based in Houston, Texas. It was formed in 2020 as part of 24 original teams to compete in Minor League Cricket. The franchise is owned by Tanweer Ahmed and Mangesh Chaudhari.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Silicon Valley Strikers</span> Silicon Valley-based cricket team in Minor League Cricket

The Silicon Valley Strikers are an American professional Twenty20 franchise cricket team that compete in Minor League Cricket (MiLC). The team is based in Silicon Valley, California. It was formed in 2020 as part of 24 original teams to compete in Minor League Cricket. The franchise is owned by bInfinite, LLC.

The 2022 Minor League Cricket season final was a Twenty20 cricket match played on August 28, 2022, at Church Street Park, Morrisville between the Seattle Thunderbolts and the Atlanta Fire to determine the winner of the 2022 Minor League Cricket season of Minor League Cricket.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">SoCal Lashings</span> Los Angeles-based Professional Cricket Organization

The SoCal Lashings, also known as The Los Angeles Lashings, are an American professional Twenty20 franchise cricket team that compete in Minor League Cricket (MiLC). The team is based in Van Nuys, Los Angeles. It was formed in 2020 as part of 24 original teams to compete in Minor League Cricket. The franchise is co-owned by Abhimanyu Rajp and Deepak Gosain.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Baltimore Royals</span> Washington DC-based cricket team in Minor League Cricket

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The New Jersey Stallions are an American professional Twenty20 franchise cricket team that competes in Minor League Cricket (MiLC). The team is based in Somerset, New Jersey. It was formed in 2020 as part of 24 original teams to compete in Minor League Cricket. The team is co-owned by businessmen Venu Palaparthi and Ravikumar Suri.

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The Hollywood Master Blasters are an American professional Twenty20 cricket franchise that competes in Minor League Cricket (MiLC). The team is based in Los Angeles, California. It was formed in 2020 as part of 24 original teams to compete in Minor League Cricket. The franchise is owned by Janak Patel.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Golden State Grizzlies</span> Sacramento-based cricket team in Minor League Cricket

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bay Blazers</span> Sacramento-based cricket team in Minor League Cricket

The East Bay Blazers are an American professional Twenty20 franchise cricket team that compete in Minor League Cricket (MiLC). The team is based in San Jose, California. It was formed in 2020 as part of 24 original teams to compete in Minor League Cricket. The franchise is owned by Premkumar Suri and Vivek Tummalapalli.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Blasters</span> Chicago-based cricket team in Minor League Cricket

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chicago Catchers</span> Chicago-based cricket team in Minor League Cricket

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References

  1. ↑ "3 New Teams Confirmed For Minor League Cricket Ahead of Draft Day Friday June 4". Major League Cricket . USA Cricket. June 3, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  2. 1 2 "New Major League Cricket Center Established in Seattle". Minor League Cricket . Major League Cricket. July 27, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Minor League Division Preview Series - Western". Major League Cricket . August 1, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Former India Under-19 World Cup Winner Harmeet Singh from Indian Cricket, Moves to MLC in USA". Cricket Addictor. August 24, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Seattle Thunderbolts Batting - Minor League Cricket". CricClubs.com. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  6. ↑ "Seattle Thunderbolts Bowling - Minor League Cricket". CricClubs.com. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  7. ↑ Penna, Peter Della (January 8, 2019). "USA formally approved to rejoin ICC as Associate Member under USA Cricket". ESPNcricinfo . Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  8. ↑ Penna, Peter Della (November 27, 2018). "USA plan to launch their T20 League in 2021". ESPNcricinfo . Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  9. ↑ "USA Cricket Chooses Partner to Fund and Develop U.S.-Based Professional T20 Cricket League". USA Cricket . May 23, 2019. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  10. ↑ "USA Cricket Board Meeting February 2020". USA Cricket . February 27, 2020. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  11. ↑ "USA Cricket re-evaluating Major League Cricket debut timing due to Covid-19 concerns". SportBusiness. August 2, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  12. ↑ "American Major League Cricket tournament launch pushed to 2023 at Annual General Meeting". Inside the Games . May 24, 2021. Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  13. ↑ Penna, Peter Della (May 21, 2021). "USA's MLC T20 tournament pushed back to 2023 at AGM". ESPNcricinfo . Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  14. ↑ Penna, Peter Della (July 30, 2021). "Minor League Cricket: T20 league in USA kicks off with Sami Aslam, Corey Anderson in the mix". ESPNcricinfo . Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  15. ↑ Penna, Peter Della (February 27, 2020). "New York, Boston, Chicago, LA among 22 targeted launch cities for USA T20 competition". ESPNcricinfo . Retrieved September 16, 2021.
  16. ↑ "Minor League Cricket 2021 Draft To Take Place On Friday". Major League Cricket . June 3, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  17. ↑ "American Cricket History to be Made on Minor League Cricket Opening Weekend". Major League Cricket . USA Cricket. July 29, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  18. ↑ "The Monday All Rounder - Opening Weekend". Minor League Cricket . Major League Cricket. August 2, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Seattle Thunderbolts v. Silicon Valley Strikers (Match 20) - Full Scorecard". CricClubs.com. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Seattle Thunderbolts v. San Diego Surf Riders (Match 34) - Full Scorecard". CricClubs.com. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  21. ↑ Nielson, Tom (September 1, 2021). "Minor League Cricket Power Rankings - Week Five". Major League Cricket . Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  22. ↑ "Seattle Thunderbolts v. St. Louis Americans (Match 164) - Full Scorecard". CricClubs.com. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  23. ↑ "Michigan Cricket Stars v. Seattle Thunderbolts (Match 136) - Full Scorecard". CricClubs.com. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  24. ↑ Nielson, Tom (September 9, 2021). "Pacific Conference Power Rankings - Week 6". Major League Cricket . Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  25. ↑ "Silicon Valley Strikers v. Seattle Thunderbolts (Match 182) - Full Scorecard". CricClubs.com. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  26. ↑ "The Monday All Rounder - Week Eight". Major League Cricket . September 20, 2021. Retrieved September 22, 2021.
  27. ↑ "Title and Presenting Partners Announced for 2022 Minor League Cricket Championship". Minor League Cricket . Major League Cricket. May 5, 2022. Retrieved May 9, 2022.
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