Ricky Ponting proposes renaming cricket to T20 for American audiences
2 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 5, 2026, 8:02 AM
Last updated Sep 5, 2026
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting suggests rebranding the sport of cricket as T20 to attract a wider audience in the United States. During his tenure as head coach of Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, Ponting observed that the traditional name carries negative connotations for potential fans unfamiliar with the sport. He advocates for marketing the format as a fast-paced alternative to baseball, emphasizing the frequent power-hitting displays during the two-hour matches. The push for a fresh identity aligns with the sport's upcoming inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. A 10,000-seat stadium currently under construction in Pomona, California, is expected to serve as a permanent venue to help establish the sport within the American.
- •Ricky Ponting recommends dropping the name cricket to promote the T20 format in the USA
- •The coach cites baseball as a comparable American sport due to the frequency of power hitting
- •T20 is scheduled to feature in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles
- •A 10,000-seat stadium is under construction in Pomona to house Major League Cricket
- •Ponting serves as head coach for Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket
- 8:02 AMYahoo Sports — ‘Don’t call it cricket’: Ricky Ponting makes radical T20 pitch to win over US fans
- 5:38 AMYahoo Sports — Ricky Ponting wants to drop the word ‘cricket’ to make the 'T20' sport popular in USA
"Ricky Ponting proposes rebranding cricket as T20 in the United States. He believes the traditional name hinders growth among new audiences. Ponting suggests comparing T20 to baseball for easier understanding. The ICC prioritizes US development, hosting the T20 World Cup. Cricket aims for Olympic inclusion at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
"Ricky Ponting wants to drop the word "cricket" to popularize the sport in the USA, pitching a complete rebrand to "T20" to rival baseball and win young fans.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 8:02 AM‘Don’t call it cricket’: Ricky Ponting makes radical T20 pitch to win over US fans
Ricky Ponting proposes rebranding cricket as T20 in the United States. He believes the traditional name hinders growth among new audiences. Ponting suggests comparing T20 to baseball for easier understanding. The ICC prioritizes US development, hosting the T20 World Cup. Cricket aims for Olympic inclusion at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
- Yahoo SportsSep 5, 2026, 5:38 AMRicky Ponting wants to drop the word ‘cricket’ to make the 'T20' sport popular in USA
Ricky Ponting wants to drop the word "cricket" to popularize the sport in the USA, pitching a complete rebrand to "T20" to rival baseball and win young fans.
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