Cuba Cricket Team Guide
Cuba, known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and love for sports, has a unique place in the cricketing world. Despite being overshadowed by the popularity of baseball, cricket has carved its niche in the Cuban sports landscape, with the Cuba cricket team beginning to make itself more noticeable in the realm of cricket today.
History of Cuba Cricket Team
The Cuba cricket team, representing the Republic of Cuba, was organised by the Cuban Cricket Commission (CCC). The team’s journey in international cricket began when they became an affiliate member of the International Cricket Council (ICC) in 2002. However, their ICC membership was revoked in 2013 due to non-compliance with ICC guidelines.
Cricket in Cuba dates back to 1952, with the first recorded game against Jamaica. The sport, primarily played by Afro-Cubans descended from West Indian sugar workers, saw a decline after the Cuban Revolution but experienced a revival in the late 1990s. Cuba’s notable participation was in the 2008 Stanford 20/20, although they had to withdraw due to the U.S. embargo.
Memorable Games For The Cuba Cricket Team
One of the memorable moments for the Cuba cricket team was their scheduled participation in the 2008 Stanford 20/20 tournament. Although the match against Sint Maarten was cancelled, it highlighted Cuba’s potential in international cricket. A replacement for the Stanford tournament led to an eight-game series in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where Cuba secured victories in two of these matches.
Additionally, the Cuba cricket team received an invitation to participate in the 2010 Americas Championship Division Four tournament in Mexico against other international cricket teams, but was compelled to withdraw due to travel restrictions imposed by the Cuban government.
Rivals Of The Cuba Cricket Team
The first international match for the Cuba cricket team was played against the Jamaica cricket team, in 1952. While this hasn’t resulted in a rivalry, it has created a history between the two countries.
