Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Ponting proposes T20 rebrand to attract American cricket fans
Ricky Ponting wants more people in the United States to try a short version of cricket.
He thinks it could be advertised as “T20” instead of using the word cricket.
Some Americans might hear cricket and think of matches that last five days.
T20 matches are much shorter and have lots of action.
Ponting thinks baseball is a useful comparison because both games take a similar amount of time.
He says T20 can have many sixes, while baseball usually has fewer home runs.
The United States hosted part of the 2024 T20 World Cup and surprised Pakistan.
Ponting says cricket is growing slowly in America and should be promoted more among young people.
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting suggested marketing cricket in the United States simply as “T20.”
He said the word “cricket” may lead unfamiliar young Americans to expect a five-day match.
Ponting recommended comparing T20 with baseball and highlighting its frequent sixes and similar game length.
The United States co-hosted the 2024 T20 World Cup and defeated Pakistan before reaching the Super Eight stage.
Ponting said Major League Cricket’s growth has been slower than expected and needs stronger grassroots promotion.
- Who
- Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting proposed the marketing strategy; the proposal concerns cricket audiences and young players in the United States.
- What
- Ponting suggested rebranding and promoting Twenty20 cricket simply as “T20” in the United States.
- When
- The articles do not specify when Ponting made the remarks; they were reported in connection with the United States’ hosting of the 2024 T20 World Cup.
- Where
- The proposed rebranding would target the United States.
- Why
- Ponting believes the word “cricket” can make unfamiliar audiences associate the sport with lengthy five-day matches, while T20 is shorter, more action-packed and comparable to baseball.
T20-first promotion
Broader cricket identity
How to introduce the sport
T20-first promotion
Ponting argues that the United States should market the shortest format as “T20,” leaving the word cricket aside to avoid associations with five-day matches.
Broader cricket identity
The articles do not quote an opposing official position, but continuing to use the broader name “cricket” would preserve the sport’s established identity and include formats beyond T20.
Which format should lead growth
T20-first promotion
Ponting believes T20 should be the main entry point because it is similar in length to baseball and offers a strong entertainment package.
Broader cricket identity
Ponting expressed doubt that Test and one-day cricket could help an emerging sport break through in the United States, so the articles provide no specific defense of those formats as the primary growth strategy.
How to build an audience
T20-first promotion
Ponting says organizers should compare T20 with baseball, reach children early and attract some young players away from baseball.
Broader cricket identity
Ponting says existing efforts, including Major League Cricket, have not promoted the sport actively enough at the grassroots level; the articles do not present a separate response from league organizers.
- Proponent
- Ricky Ponting, former Australia captain and Washington Freedom head coach
- Proposed name
- T20, short for Twenty20 cricket
- Target audience
- Young and unfamiliar sports audiences in the United States
- Baseball comparison
- Ponting said T20 matches are similar in length to baseball games but contain more frequent action
- 2024 tournament
- The United States co-hosted the 2024 T20 World Cup, defeated Pakistan in the group stage and reached the Super Eight stage
- Domestic league
- Major League Cricket began in 2023 and has six city-based franchises
- Growth challenge
- Ponting said cricket’s progress in the United States has been slower than he expected and grassroots promotion has been insufficient
