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.