Mahela Jayawardene bats for participation of US cricketers in All-Stars series

Jayawardene and Rhodes during the recent All-stars match in LA

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Mahela Jayawardene has suggested that the Cricket All Stars tournament would stand much better with the participation from the US national cricket team. Apart from the participation of US cricketers, Jayawardene wants an exhibition match, that is, USA vs All Stars, in the near future, as reported by ESPN Cricinfo.

"If the opportunity arises, the ideal scenario would be for an All-Star team to play the USA team if we come next time around. If you get a few of the younger guys involved in it, who have just recently retired, you can probably have a good game. You can give (USA) an opportunity to play a match against some of the good players. I still think guys like Warney and Murali probably still can bowl the way they were bowling. So it is a great opportunity I think," Jayawardene said.

However, the recently concluded All Stars tournament did see the presence of American players, but as 12th man, for each match. This small opportunity allowed the budding cricketers to interact with the legends of the game and seek valuable advice.

Tournaments should be organised in America on regular basis: Jayawardene

Jayawardene felt that if the players were given more opportunity, it would help their game and attract more attention in the country.

"They were getting tips from Warne, Murali and McGrath and all these guys, it's fantastic for them. That kind of interaction for them, you understand the game in a better way, how it works in the mind as well. That's something that we could look forward to if everything goes well, and something that US cricket could come up with and see whether they can have a match organised.”

The recent conclusion of the Cricket All-stars saw a huge surge in crowds in all three venues- Houston, New York City and Los Angeles. The series saw Warne’s Warriors clinch the tournament 3-0 against Sachin’s Warriors.

USA, being an associate member of the ICC, doesn't get many opportunities to play top-ranked teams, and the former Sri Lankan captain asserted that international teams should play in USA more often.

"It gives them a bit of exposure so that people get to see where they are and what needs to be done to improve. (The All-Stars) is just a byproduct I think and you need to make sure the international game should come here as well, especially places like Toronto where you have good cricket grounds.”

"We went there and it was a good tournament as well. Pakistan, us, (Zimbabwe) and Canada played in it as well, so it gave their guys a national opportunity. So we should try to see whether that kind of tournament can be organised on a regular basis," he concluded.