It is not too long before this knighted bowler was the nemesis of David Gower. Even a certain Sunil Gavaskar was found to have knightmarish days as he would swing both ways. Unlucky to be born in a weak cricketing nation (extremely weak until then), Sir Richard Hadlee carried the baton home for New Zealand lonely on quite a few occasion.

He could not succeed too much in World Cups but his performances against Austalia has been stuff of legend. He was a sprightly swinger of the ball and competed with the famed trio of Imran Khan, Kapil Dev and Ian Botham.

He retired being the highest wicket taker in Test cricket, a performace that woud stand like a beacon for players to come. Now that Muttiah Murlidharan is nearing 800 wickets in tests, he has to thank Richard Hadlee for showing him the way.  He is the executive consultant of APL.

To gain some credibility, Jay Mir, CEO of American Sports and Entertainment Group. Inc. has appointed Richie Richardson as the chief recruiter and Sir Richard Hadlee as the Executive consultant. His designation as the board member might give a semblance of respectability to yet another rebel league but it would still have to fight many cases with the various country cricketing councils.

Jay Mir is ferociously recruiting ostracized players of the day and also those past their prime. The idea is to create another mega circus of cricket. Staten Island, NY, might not be abuzz yet but the South Asian contingent has certainly woken up to the game. Already, a 10000-seater baseball-converted stadium is being created.

NZC chief executive feels that a player and ambassador of Hadlee’s caliber should not have got aligned to a rebel outfit yet this is the way of the world and even Hadlee has a “ life to lead” he feels.

Despite what the cricket boards have to say, Jay Mir might be able to bring some sanity into the scene as the man is a talented entrepreneur and knows where he is investing his money. For the uninitiated, another rebel league, the ICL, has scrapped this year’s venture owing to paucity of funds.

Come October 6th and America will be ignited with the splinters of a new sport. Yes, the South Asian community is hooked to cricket but by and large, the sport that has caught the imagination of commonwealth countries since long will be running on a virgin territory here. Staten Island in New York is all decked up. Already, a minor-league baseball ground is being converted. 10000 seats have been arranged. If all goes according to the plan, Jay Mir, the man behind the show, would find the stadium packed on the inaugural day.

The stadium has a picturesque setting with the Statue of Liberty peeping over it and mighty Hudson flowing beneath it. It is a rare sight and something along the lines has hardly been witnessed even in countries where cricket is an extravaganza. Accelerated recruitment is underway and already many legends of the game have been hired in some capacity or another.

If there is Richard Hadlee as the executive consultant and Richie Richardson as chief recruiter, there is also a strong coach line-up boasting of former greats like John Emburey and Richardson once again. Players are being siphoned off from the ICL fold with lucrative offers. Many retirees are also going to make their presence felt. APL is brightening up with the presence of players like Martyn, Gillespie, Astle, Parore, Harris, Boje, Klusener, Hall, Hollioake, Hicks, Saqlain and Inzamam.

Here is wishing the American cricketing revolution all the success that it deserves.

American premier league is hitting off in October 2009. It is the brainchild of Jay Mir, CEO of American Sports And Entertainment Group. Inc. Already, there is a lot of flutter regarding it and the media has been giving it kind attention. It is all in the fitness of things. The event is unfurling on the heels of T20 mania. IPL is doing exceedingly well in times that the column is being written.

For those who thought that IPL drew the entire craze in its inaugural edition owing to Indian venues, its time to rethink, the South African grounds are running to packed houses. This is why the American edition, to be held at Staten Island, NY, is expected to be a big affair too.

Richard Hadlee, former legend and among the very few to be knighted has already confirmed to being the executive consultant. He was besought for the post of board member and it is believed that his boarding the APL bus would provide the event a lot of credibility. APL requires the stamp of experts as the event is surely drawing a lot of ICC wrath. This is chiefly because the event stars many cricketers of the ICL (rebel league).

Along with Richard Hadlee, another New Zealand recruits include Nathan Astle and Chris Harris. Adam Parore might join soon too. Richie Richardson is another past celebrity who is adding a lot of flesh to the League. He will be chief recruiter as well as the coach of Premium West Indies.

American Premier League is the dream child of entrepreneur Jay Mir. He is the CEO of American Sports And Entertainment Group. Inc. The man has been clairvoyant enough to believe that there is a lacuna left in American sports and that can be duly filled by cricket. Yes, it would be difficult for the Americans to love the test variant straightaway or find time for the one-day format, but T20 is a big hit everywhere.

It draws magnificent crowds wherever it’s played. Already, the IPL is a huge hit and sponsors are walking the merry slope of banks. APL might lack in crowd support but it amply makes up for it with venue selection and its expert panel. To be played at Staten Island (New York), the stadium will be set against Statue of Liberty and River Hudson.

American premier League has called upon the services of Ex-West Indian Coach Richie Richardson. He will be donning the mantle of coach of Premium West Indies side and also be the recruiter. The board has sought Sir Richard Hadlee for being one of the Board Members. Already, he has confirmed for the designation of Executive Consultant.

With a player like him, widely respected in cricketing circles, joining the APL, the league will draw a lot of credibility. It needs a lot of it as APL has drawn the wrath of ICC and might emerge as the second Rebel League post ICL.