Silicon Valley Strikers#Current squad

{{Short description|Silicon Valley-based cricket team in Minor League Cricket}}

{{Infobox cricket team

| name = Silicon Valley Strikers

| league = Minor League Cricket

| conference = Western Division (Pacific Conference)

| alt_name =

| image = Silicon_Valley_Strikers_Logo.png

| colours = {{color box|cyan}} Cyan, and {{color box|blue}} Blue.

| coach =

| captain = Unmukt Chand

| city = Silicon Valley, California

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

| owner = Stanford Strikers LLC

| ceo =

| ground = Morgan Hills Outdoor Sports Complex

| capacity =

| title1 = MiLC

| title1wins = 1 (2021)

| t_title = T20 kit

| t_pattern_la =

| t_pattern_b =

| t_pattern_ra =

| t_pattern_pants =

| t_leftarm = 00FFFF

| t_body = 00FFFF

| t_rightarm = 00FFFF

| t_pants = 0000FF

| current =

}}

The Silicon Valley Strikers are an American professional Twenty20 cricket team based in the San Francisco Bay Area that competes in Minor League Cricket (MiLC). It was formed in 2020 as part of 24 original teams to compete in Minor League Cricket.{{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 Owners |access-date=14 December 2021}} The franchise is owned by Stanford Strikers LLC.{{cite web|url=https://emergingcricket.com/events/major-league-cricket/minor-league-cricket-announces-teams-and-owners-list-draft-on-august-22-exhibition-games-tentative/ |first=Nate |last=Hays |publisher=Emerging Cricket |date=18 August 2020 |title=Minor League Cricket announces teams and owners list, draft on August 22, exhibition games tentative |access-date=14 December 2021}}

The team's home ground is Morgan Hills Outdoor Sports Complex, located in Morgan Hill, California.{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/minor-league-division-preview-series-western/ |work=Major League Cricket |date=1 August 2021 |title=Minor League Division Preview Series - Western |access-date=14 December 2021}} Pranay Suri was named as captain for the 2023 Minor league season, replacing Unmukt Chand.{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/pre-draft-selections-confirmed-by-21-minor-league-cricket-teams-as-draft-day-looms/ |work=USA Cricket |date=4 June 2021 |title=Pre-Draft Selections Confirmed by 21 Minor League Cricket Teams as Draft Day Looms |access-date=14 December 2021}}

The current leading run-scorer is Unmukt Chand,{{cite web|url=https://cricclubs.com/MiLC/teamBatting.do?teamId=22&clubId=18036 |work=CricClubs.com |title=Silicon Valley Strikers Batting - Minor League Cricket |access-date=14 December 2021}} with the highest wicket-taker being Pranay Suri.{{cite web|url=https://cricclubs.com/MiLC/teamBowling.do?teamId=22&clubId=18036 |work=CricClubs.com |title=Silicon Valley Strikers Bowling - Minor League Cricket |access-date=14 December 2021}}

Franchise history

= 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=15 December 2021}}{{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=15 December 2021}} 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=15 December 2021}}

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=15 December 2021}} 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=15 December 2021}} 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=15 December 2021}} 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=15 December 2021}} 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=15 December 2021}}

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=15 December 2021}}

= 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=15 December 2021}} 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=15 December 2021}} 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=15 December 2021}} with the Silicon Valley Strikers 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=15 September 2021}} Shadley van Schalkwyk was later named as captain for the Silicon Valley Strikers in 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=15 December 2021}} 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=15 December 2021}} they announced Unmukt Chand as captain and Pranay Suri as vice-captain (although originally Suri was captain, due to Chand not being called in the squad until the third week{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/unmukt-chand/ |work=Minor League Cricket |publisher=Major League Cricket |date=13 August 2021 |title=Unmukt Chand Signs Multi-Year Agreement with Major League Cricket |access-date=16 December 2021}}).

In their first match of the season, the Strikers defeated the Thunderbolts by 2 wickets.{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/the-monday-all-rounder-opening-weekend/ |work=Minor League Cricket |publisher=Major League Cricket |date=2 August 2021 |title=The Monday All Rounder - Opening Weekend |access-date=15 December 2021}} They then went on to win against the Master Blasters,{{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=16 December 2021}} the Surf Riders twice,{{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=16 December 2021}}{{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=16 December 2021}} the Blazers twice, the Lashings,{{cite web|url=https://crictracker.com/minor-league-cricket-2021-unmukt-chand-scores-a-match-winning-56-for-his-team-silicon-valley-strikers |website=CricTracker.com |date=23 August 2021 |title=Minor League Cricket 2021: Unmukt Chand scores a match-winning 56* for his team Silicon Valley Strikers |access-date=16 December 2021}} the Grizzlies twice, and the Thunderbolts again.{{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=16 December 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/your-opinion/cricket-in-the-usa-minor-league-cricket-unmukt-chand-arunkumar-niraj-patel-usa-cricket/article36425040.ece |first=Nilesh |last=Mehta |date=13 September 2021 |publisher=Sportstar |title=The rise of cricket in the United States of America |access-date=16 December 2021}} They additionally lost against the Lashings, the Master Blasters,{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/the-monday-all-rounder-week-five/ |work=Minor League Cricket |title=The Monday All Rounder - Week Five |date=30 August 2021 |publisher=Major League Cricket |access-date=16 December 2021}} and the Thunderbolts{{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=16 December 2021}} throughout the group stage. They placed 2nd in their group, thus qualifying the Strikers for the quarter-finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.majorleaguecricket.com/news/the-monday-all-rounder-week-eight/ |work=Minor League Cricket |publisher=Major League Cricket |date=20 September 2021 |title=The Monday All Rounder - Week Eight |access-date=17 December 2021}}

In the quarter-finals, the Strikers won against the Austin Athletics in a best-of-3 series 2-1, qualifying them for the semi-finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/unmukt-chand-132-off-69-balls-america-minor-league-cricket-1858577-2021-09-29 |work=India Today |date=29 September 2021 |title=Unmukt Chand smashes 69-ball 132 to help team chase down 190, makes waves in America's Minor League Cricket |access-date=17 December 2021}} During the semi-finals, the Strikers bowled out the Grizzlies for 135 to win by 33 runs and take them to the finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.usacricket.org/media-release/inaugural-minor-league-cricket-champion-to-be-crowned-this-weekend/ |work=Major League Cricket |publisher=USA Cricket |date=30 September 2021 |title=Inaugural Minor League Cricket Champion to be Crowned this Weekend |access-date=17 December 2021}} In the finals, they won against the Stallions by 6 wickets to win their maiden MiLC title.{{cite web|url=https://www.cricket.com.au/news/feature/unmukt-chand-first-india-mens-bbl-player-melbourne-renegades-retires-bcci-competitions-signs-in-usa/2021-12-07 |first=Jack |last=Paynter |date=7 December 2021 |publisher=Cricket Australia |title='Liberated' Indian star on the verge of BBL history |access-date=17 December 2021}}

= 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

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
\| Arsh Buch	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1994\|10\|22\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	style="text-align:center;"\| 2021
\| Narsingh Deonarine	{{cr\|GUY}}	{{birth date and age\|1983\|8\|16\|df=y}}	Left-handed	Right-arm off-break	style="text-align:center;" \| 2020	Overseas
\| Rohith Ramkumar	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1985\|1\|18\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\| Roshon Primus	{{cr\|BRB}}	{{birth date and age\|1995\|8\|14\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Left-arm medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021	Overseas
\| Unmukt Chand	{{cr\|IND}}	{{birth date and age\|1993\|3\|26\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm off-break	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021	Overseas captain
colspan="7" style="text-align:center;" \| All-rounders
\| Anoop Krishnan	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1987\|03\|06\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	style="text-align:center;"\| 2021
\| Dev Thadani	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1998\|9\|17\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	style="text-align:center;"\| 2021
\| Dilpreet Billing	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1991\|7\|15\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm fast	style="text-align:center;" \| 2020
\| Gary Graham	{{cr\|JAM}}	{{birth date and age\|1982\|8\|6\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm medium	style="text-align:center;"\| 2020	Overseas
\| Pranay Suri	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1992\|12\|22\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm off-break	style="text-align:center;" \| 2020	Vice-captain
\| Rushil Ugarkar	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|2003\|6\|30\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm fast medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\|Shehan Jayasuriya	{{cr\|SL}}	{{birth date and age\|1991\|9\|12\|df=y}}	Left-handed	Right-arm off break	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021	Overseas
\| Srinivas Raghavan	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1992\|12\|04\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Right-arm off break	style="text-align:center;" \| 2020
\| Umang Parikh	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1993\|3\|24\|df=y}}	Left-handed	Left-arm Spin	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
colspan="7" style="text-align:center;" \| Bowlers
\| Abhishek Paradkar	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|2000\|11\|8\|df=y}}	Left-handed	Left-handed medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\| Kulvinder Singh	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1983\|4\|25\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Left-arm medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
\| Saurabh Netravalkar	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|1991\|10\|16\|df=y}}	Right-handed	Left-arm medium	style="text-align:center;" \| 2021
colspan="7" style="text-align:center;" \| Wicket-keepers
\| Rahul Jariwala	{{cr\|USA}}	{{birth date and age\|2004\|6\|3\|df=y}}	Right-handed		style="text-align:center;" \| 2020

References

Category:Minor League Cricket teams

Category:Cricket teams in California

Category:Cricket clubs established in 2020

Category:2020 establishments in California

Category:Morgan Hill, California

Category:Sports clubs and teams in Santa Clara County, California