During one of cricket’s most popular eras in our country, Abraham Lincoln traveled a whopping 695 miles to watch a cricket match in Chicago in 1849. But going into the late-19th-century, many Americans began viewing cricket with disdain. They saw cricket as a boring, slow-paced game meant for the wealthy. But going into the 21st century and the arrival of south asian and caribbean immigrants bringing their deep-rooted passion for the game, the narrative has changed and cricket’s popularity is back on the rise. Now, high schools across the country have begun offering cricket for their students, and South is one of them.
With over 30 members, the cricket team is gearing up for its inaugural season this spring. Their head coach is Mr. Edward Odumbe. Mr. Odumbe is also the head coach of the U-18 northeast regional team and has also coached cricket internationally. Ms. Melissa Naud will be the assistant coach.She has experience playing cricket while abroad in the Caribbean volunteering in the Peace Corps. In order to provide more opportunities for students to participate, there will be a JV and varsity team, which are both co-ed and open to all grades.
“Having a cricket team is important to WW-P because it is another avenue for our students to become involved in our athletic program,” athletic director Ms. Katharine Dobinson said.
The formation of the team stemmed from petitions from both students and parents over several years. Many students play on club teams outside of schools, and wanted to start a team at South.
“The students that I have spoken to are very excited,” Ms. Dobinson said. “There has been a lot of interest over the past few years, and with Monroe High School starting a program last year, it seemed like the perfect time to start a program at South.”
South will be playing a league consisting of JP Stevens, Monroe, North, South, and Edison.
With so many schools starting teams, the landscape of cricket in America has only just begun to grow. Aradhya Vijay (‘26) said, “Cricket in America is undergoing a remarkable transformation, marked by a substantial surge in popularity.” This has allowed for the creation of one of America’s biggest professional cricket leagues: Major League Cricket (MLC).
The growing professional leagues come along with growing youth leagues too. Vijay said that with the growing popularity of cricket he has been able to participate “in multiple local and national tournaments these past few years, even traveling around the country.”
The rise of popularity can also be attributed to the deep rooted passion for cricket found in many South Asian cultures. “Joining the cricket team was a natural choice for me because it offered an opportunity to connect with a sport deeply rooted in my cultural background while also contributing to its growing presence in America,” said Om Soni (‘26). “Cricket is more than just a game; it’s a passion that runs through generations, and being part of the team allows me to carry forward that legacy while forging new friendships and experiences” he continued, “every aspect of the game has provided me with valuable lessons and memories.”
Looking ahead to the season, Soni said, “I am filled with a mix of excitement and determination. While we may be a new team, I believe we possess the talent and passion to make a significant impact.”
With the efforts of students, faculty, and coaches, the cricket team at WW-P South is ready to make its mark on the evergrowing cricketing landscape in America.
