If you’re jonesing for a sports fix with a twist, consider cricket.
For the first time in the United States, the State vs. State competition takes place at three Milwaukee parks from July 4-7. This upcoming event is thanks, in great part, to Abdur Chowdhury, professor emeritus of economics at Marquette University and president of the National Cricket League, Inc.
Chowdhury notes that during the summer months in Wisconsin and Milwaukee, you'll often see cricket being played on the fields. However, most of the players are immigrants coming from India, Pakistan, the West Indies or England. Chowdhury says the National Cricket League was founded here in Milwaukee in order to anchor the sport to have younger generations and native-born Americans play.
"The ultimate objective is to popularize the game. There are very few people in Milwaukee who are familiar with the game — we want that to change," says Chowdhury.
He recently joined Lake Effect’s Mitch Teich to explain why he thinks the time is right for professional cricket in the United States:
