San Diego Surf Riders

{{Short description|Minor League Cricket team in San Diego, California}}

{{Infobox cricket team

| name = San Diego Surf Riders

| league = Minor League Cricket (MiLC)

| conference = Western Division (Pacific Conference)

| alt_name =

| image = 150px

| colours = {{color box|lightblue}} Light Blue, and {{color box|yellow}} Yellow.

| coach =

| captain = Marty Kain

| city = San Diego, California

| founded = {{Start date and age|2020}}

| owner = Rajinder Ghai

| ceo = Gangaram Singh
Sanjit Menezes
Jimmy Ankelsaria
Ram Madabushi

| ground = Canyonside Park, San Diego

| capacity =

| t_title = T20 kit

| t_pattern_la =

| t_pattern_b =

| t_pattern_ra =

| t_pattern_pants =

| t_leftarm = 87CFFB

| t_body = FFFF00

| t_rightarm = 87CFFB

| t_pants = 87CFFB

| current =

}}

The San Diego Surf Riders are an American professional Twenty20 cricket team based in San Diego, California, that competes in Minor League Cricket (MiLC). The team's home ground is Canyonside Park, located in the community of Rancho Peñasquitos.{{cite web |date=1 August 2021 |title=Minor League Division Preview Series - Eastern |url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/minor-league-division-preview-series-western/ |access-date=21 March 2022 |work=Minor League Cricket |publisher=Major League Cricket}} The Surf Riders began play in the 2021 season.

Franchise history

The Surf Riders were formed in 2020 as part of 24 original teams to compete in Minor League Cricket.{{cite web |date=15 August 2020 |title=Minor League Cricket Announces Franchise Owners and Draft Update |url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/minor-league-cricket-announces-franchise-owners-and-draft-update/ |access-date=21 March 2022 |work=USA Cricket}} The team is co-owned by Rajinder Ghai, Gangaram Singh, Sanjit Menezes, Jimmy Anklesaria, and Ram Madabushi.

= 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.{{cite web|url=http://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/25714489/usa-formally-approved-rejoin-icc-associate-member-usa-cricket |first=Peter Della |last=Penna |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |date=8 January 2019 |title=USA formally approved to rejoin ICC as Associate Member under USA Cricket |access-date=22 March 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/usa-plan-to-launch-their-t20-league-in-2021-1167043 |first=Peter Della |last=Penna |date=27 November 2018 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |title=USA plan to launch their T20 League in 2021 |access-date=22 March 2022}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/usa-cricket-chooses-partner-to-fund-and-develop-u-s-based-professional-t20-cricket-league/ |work=USA Cricket |date=23 May 2019 |title=USA Cricket Chooses Partner to Fund and Develop U.S.-Based Professional T20 Cricket League |access-date=22 March 2022}}

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,{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/usa-cricket-board-meeting-february-2020/ |work=USA Cricket |date=27 February 2020 |title=USA Cricket Board Meeting February 2020 |access-date=22 March 2022}} but it was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic{{cite web|url=https://www.sportbusiness.com/news/major-league-cricket-debut-poised-to-be-pushed-back-to-2022/ |work=SportBusiness |date=2 August 2021 |title=USA Cricket re-evaluating Major League Cricket debut timing due to Covid-19 concerns |access-date=22 March 2022}} and due to the lack of high-quality cricket stadiums in the USA.{{cite web|url=https://www.insidethegames.biz/articles/1108173/major-league-cricket-2023 |work=Inside the Games |date=24 May 2021 |title=American Major League Cricket tournament launch pushed to 2023 at Annual General Meeting |access-date=22 March 2022}} Major League Cricket was pushed to a summer-2023 launch{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/usa-s-mlc-t20-tournament-pushed-back-to-2023-at-agm-1263761 |first=Peter Della |last=Penna |date=21 May 2021 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |title=USA's MLC T20 tournament pushed back to 2023 at AGM |access-date=22 March 2022}} and Minor League Cricket was pushed back to July 31, 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/minor-league-cricket-2021-t20-league-in-usa-kicks-off-with-sami-aslam-corey-anderson-in-the-mix-1271536 |first=Peter Della |last=Penna |date=30 July 2021 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |title=Minor League Cricket: T20 league in USA kicks off with Sami Aslam, Corey Anderson in the mix |access-date=22 March 2022}}

USA Cricket CEO Iain Higgins also 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/new-york-boston-chicago-la-among-22-targeted-launch-cities-for-usa-t20-competition-1217780 |first=Peter Della |last=Penna |date=27 February 2020 |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |title=New York, Boston, Chicago, LA among 22 targeted launch cities for USA T20 competition |access-date=22 March 2022}}

= Exhibition league =

In July 2020, the player registration for the Minor League Cricket exhibition league began.{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/minor-league-cricket-announces-player-registration-opening/ |work=USA Cricket |date=7 July 2020 |title=Minor League Cricket Announces Player Registration Opening |access-date=22 March 2022}} On August 15, 2020, USA Cricket announced the teams participating in the exhibition league matches, also listing the owners for each team.{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/minor-league-cricket-announces-franchise-owners-and-draft-update/ |work=USA Cricket |date=15 August 2020 |title=Minor League Cricket Announces Franchise Owners and Draft Update |access-date=22 March 2022}} The draft for the exhibition league began on August 22, 2020,{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/inaugural-minor-league-cricket-draft-to-take-place-today/ |work=USA Cricket |date=22 August 2020 |title=Inaugural Minor League Cricket Draft to Take Place Today |access-date=22 March 2022}} with the Surf Riders releasing their squad on August 24.{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/minor-league-cricket-draft-results-with-15-squads-selected/ |work=USA Cricket |date=24 August 2020 |title=Minor League Cricket Draft results with 15 Squads Selected |access-date=22 March 2022}} Marty Kain was later named as captain for the Surf Riders for the exhibition league.

= 2021 season =

After the conclusion of the exhibition league, USA Cricket announced that they were planning to launch the inaugural season of Minor League Cricket in spring 2021.{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/usa-cricket-launches-foundational-plan/ |work=USA Cricket |date=15 October 2020 |title=USA Cricket Launches Foundational Plan |access-date=22 March 2022}} Ahead of the official season, which was announced to kick off on July 31,{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/american-cricket-history-to-be-made-on-minor-league-cricket-opening-weekend/ |work=Major League Cricket |date=29 July 2021 |publisher=USA Cricket |title=American Cricket History to be Made on Minor League Cricket Opening Weekend |access-date=22 March 2022}} the Lashings announced Marty Kain to continue his role as captain with Mrunal Patel helming vice-captain duties.{{cite web |last=Hays |first=Nate |date=18 August 2020 |title=Minor League Cricket announces teams and owners list, draft on August 22, exhibition games tentative |url=https://emergingcricket.com/events/major-league-cricket/minor-league-cricket-announces-teams-and-owners-list-draft-on-august-22-exhibition-games-tentative/ |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=Emerging Cricket}}

In their first match of the season, the Surf Riders defeated the Master Blasters by 5 wickets in a low-scoring game, but then lost to the Lashings by 4 wickets the same day.{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/dramatic-finishes-highlight-historic-minor-league-cricket-championship-opening-weekend/ |work=Major League Cricket |publisher=USA Cricket |date=5 August 2021 |title=Dramatic Finishes Highlight Historic Minor League Cricket Championship Opening Weekend |access-date=22 March 2022}} The Surf Riders, however, only won three times after their opening match victory, once against the Thunderbolts,{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/the-monday-all-rounder-week-two/ |work=Minor League Cricket |date=9 August 2021 |publisher=Major League Cricket |title=The Monday All Rounder - Week Two |access-date=22 March 2022}} once against the Master Blasters,{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/the-monday-all-rounder-week-seven/ |work=Minor League Cricket |publisher=Major League Cricket |date=13 September 2021 |title=The Monday All Rounder - Week Seven |access-date=22 March 2022}} and once against the Irving Mustangs.{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/the-tuesday-all-rounder-week-six/ |work=Minor League Cricket |publisher=Major League Cricket |date=7 September 2021 |title=The Tuesday All Rounder - Week Six |access-date=22 March 2022}} They lost against the Thunderbolts,{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/the-monday-all-rounder-week-3/ |work=Minor League Cricket |date=16 August 2021 |publisher=Major League Cricket |title=The Monday All Rounder - Week 3 |access-date=22 March 2022}} the Strikers twice,{{cite web|url=https://cricbuzz.com/cricket-news/118860/minor-cricket-league-week-5-ricardo-powell-turns-back-the-clock-usa-cricket-unmukt-chand-cricbuzzcom |first=Smit |last=Patel |date=2 September 2021 |publisher=CricBuzz |title=Minor Cricket League Week 5: Ricardo Powell turns back the clock |access-date=22 March 2022}} the Blazers twice, the Lashings, Hurricanes, and the Athletics. The Surf Riders finished on top of the Master Blasters, and finished 6th, thus not qualifying for the finals.

= 2022 season =

Ahead of the 2022 season, Major League Cricket announced that the draft for that season would take place on May 12.{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/title-and-presenting-partners-announced-for-2022-minor-league-cricket-championship/ |work=Minor League Cricket |publisher=Major League Cricket |date=5 May 2022 |title=Title and Presenting Partners Announced for 2022 Minor League Cricket Championship |access-date=9 May 2022}}

Current squad

Marty Kain is helming captaincy duties, with American cricketer Mrunal Patel helming vice-captain duties. Americans Sri Krishna A and Timil Patel lead the batting and bowling leaderboards for the team, with 344 runs and 18 wickets.{{cite web |title=San Diego Surf Riders - Batting |url=https://cricclubs.com/MiLC/teamBatting.do?teamId=27&clubId=18036 |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=CricClubs.com}}{{cite web |title=San Diego Surf Riders - Bowling |url=https://cricclubs.com/MiLC/teamBowling.do?teamId=27&clubId=18036 |access-date=21 March 2022 |website=CricClubs.com}}

Players with international caps are listed in bold.

Name !Nationality !Birth date !Batting style !Bowling style !Year signed !Notes
class="wikitable" style="font-size:85%;"
colspan="7" style="text-align:center;" \| Batsmen
\| Marty Kain	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1988\|5\|16\|df=y}}	Left-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	style="text-align:center;"\| 2021
\| Sri Krishna	{{cr\|IND}}	{{birth date and age\|1990\|6\|13\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm fast medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021	Overseas
colspan="7" style="text-align:center;" \| All-rounders
\| Abhinay Reddy	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1991\|6\|8\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium fast	style="text-align:center;"\| 2021
\| Adnesh Tondale	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|2002\|1\|17\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium fast	style="text-align:center;"\| 2021
\| Ajay Sharma	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1982\|9\|19\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	style="text-align:center;"\| 2021
\| Ayan Desai	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|2002\|4\|3\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm fast medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\| Brynley Richards	{{cr\|AUS}}	{{birth date and age\|1991\|2\|1\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021	Overseas
\| Devam Shrivastava	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|2004\|8\|9\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\| Dillon Heyliger	{{cr\|CAN}}	{{birth date and age\|1989\|10\|21\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021	Overseas
\| Jaideep Reddy	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1987\|4\|13\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\| Mrunal Patel	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1986\|10\|28\|df=y}}	Left-handed	Slow left-arm orthodox	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\| Mohammad Sadiq	{{cr\|PAK}}	{{birth date and age\|1981\|9\|9\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm leg break	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021	Overseas
\| Ravi Timbawala	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1989\|6\|8\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\| Timil Patel	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1983\|12\|1\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm leg break	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\| Zubair Murad	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1986\|6\|11\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm fast medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
colspan="7" style="text-align:center;" \| Wicket-keepers
\| Siddarth Matani	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1990\|6\|3\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021

References

External links

[https://sandiegosurfriders.com/ Official website]

Category:Minor League Cricket teams

Category:Cricket teams in San Diego

Category:Cricket clubs established in 2020

Category:2020 establishments in California