DALLAS, TEXAS - JUNE 01: Aaron Jones of USA celebrates winning the ICC Men's T20 Cricket World Cup West Indies & USA 2024 match between USA and Canada at Grand Prairie Cricket Stadium on June 01, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Matt Roberts-ICC/ICC via Getty Images)

<p>The stage was set in Grand Prairie, Texas, for a historic night in the cricketing world. Not only did the 2024 T20 World Cup kick-off, but it marked the first-ever World Cup game for the co-hosts, the United States. It&#8217;s interesting to note that cricket&#8217;s journey in the US goes back a long way, with the very first international match between the <a href="https://r.search.yahoo.com/_ylt=AwrNPpa0jlxmnGcKAS9XNyoA;_ylu=Y29sbwNiZjEEcG9zAzEEdnRpZAMEc2VjA3Ny/RV=2/RE=1718551477/RO=10/RU=https%3a%2f%2fwisden.com%2fstories%2fhistorical%2fusa-versus-canada-1844-first-ever-international-cricket-match/RK=2/RS=5v1WBJOoSSH_VLbfhmictvuOoSk-">USA and Canada being played in 1844!</a> Talk about a full-circle moment. </p>



<p>This opening encounter proved to be a thrilling start to the tournament, setting the tone for what promises to be an exciting few weeks. The USA&#8217;s dominant victory also served as a warning shot to cricketing giants like <a href="https://www.caribbeancricket.org/group-a-of-the-2024-t20-world-cup/">India and Pakistan</a> – they can&#8217;t be taken lightly anymore.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Toss and Innings Breakdown</h2>



<p>The USA won the toss and opted to field first.</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Canada&#8217;s 1st Innings:</strong></h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>PowerPlay (50/1):</strong> A decent start for Canada, with opener Aaron Johnson setting the tone with a boundary off the very first ball. The lack of early swing from the American bowlers allowed the Canadian openers to find their rhythm. However, Harmeet Singh&#8217;s introduction in the final PowerPlay over brought some control and a wicket (Johnson).</li>



<li><strong>Middle Overs (87/2):</strong> Runs continued to flow on a good batting pitch. Navneet Dhaliwal anchored the innings with a well-paced 50, while Nicholas Kirton provided valuable support with a 28-ball fifty. Their 62-run partnership kept Canada ticking.</li>



<li><strong>Death Overs (57/2):</strong> While Shreyas Movva&#8217;s 32* off 16 balls pushed Canada closer to the 200-run mark, they fell a bit short, considering the batting-friendly conditions. Canada could only manage 35 runs in the last two overs, with Ali Khan&#8217;s tight 18th over (including Kirton&#8217;s wicket) restricting them further. The Canada ended the first inning with a strong score of 194/5 after 20 overs.</li>
</ul>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>USA&#8217;s 2nd Innings:</strong></h3>



<ul class="wp-block-list">
<li><strong>PowerPlay (41/1):</strong> A shaky start for the USA as they lost Steven Taylor early and struggled to score freely. Gous managed a cautious 21* off 20 balls, while Captain Patel couldn&#8217;t find his timing.</li>



<li><strong>Middle Overs (127/1):</strong> This is where the game turned on its head. After a slow start to the middle overs, the introduction of Aaron Jones changed everything. Jones and Gous put on a match-winning 131-run partnership, peppering the boundaries with some big sixes. Jones&#8217; blistering 22-ball fifty was a turning point, completely derailing the Canadian bowling attack. Jeremy Gordon&#8217;s expensive 14th over (33 runs) further dented Canada&#8217;s hopes.</li>



<li><strong>Death Overs (29 in 2.4 overs):</strong> With the bulk of the scoring done, it was just a matter of time for the USA. Gous departed, but Jones ensured a swift finish, ending the chase with a memorable six over midwicket with eight wickets in hand and 14 balls to go.</li>
</ul>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Player of the Match: Aaron Jones</h2>



<p>Jones&#8217; explosive knock of 94* off just 40 balls stole the show. His power-hitting, including 10 sixes, single-handedly took the game away from Canada and announced the USA&#8217;s arrival on the big stage in style.</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">USA and Canada’s Upcoming Games</h2>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>USA:</strong></h3>



<p>June 6: United States vs. Pakistan, Dallas – 09:00 PM IST (10:30 AM Local)</p>



<p>June 12: United States vs. India, New York – 08:00 PM IST (09:30 AM Local)</p>



<p>June 14: United States vs. Ireland, Florida – 08:00 PM IST (10:30 AM Local)</p>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Canada:</strong></h3>



<p>June 7: Canada vs. Ireland, New York – 08:00 PM IST (09:30 AM Local)</p>



<p>June 11: Pakistan vs. Canada, New York – 08:00 PM IST (09:30 AM Local)</p>



<p>June 15: India vs. Canada, Florida – 08:00 PM IST (10:30 AM Local)</p>



<h2 class="wp-block-heading">Journey Ahead</h2>



<p>As the dust settles on this electrifying opener, the road ahead for both the USA and Canada in the 2024 T20 World Cup is laden with challenges and opportunities. The USA, riding high on their dominant performance, will look to capitalize on this momentum in their upcoming fixtures against cricket powerhouses Pakistan and India. Their historic victory not only boosts their confidence but also signals to the world that they are ready to compete at the highest level. With players like Aaron Jones in sublime form, the USA has the potential to cause upsets and make a deep run in the tournament.</p>



<p>For Canada, the journey ahead demands resilience and adaptability. Despite their loss, there were notable performances, especially from Navneet Dhaliwal and Nicholas Kirton, which indicate that they have the talent to compete. Their immediate focus will be on regrouping and refining their strategies as they face tough opponents like Ireland, Pakistan, and India. Each game will be a test of their character and ability to learn from their setbacks.</p>

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