Turning Point for SoCal Cricket? Local Leader Pens Endorsement for Major & Minor League
When community leaders speak clearly about what they support, they empower those around them to understand, engage, and move forward. “MILC… Good for USA Cricket.”
A written stance expressed in writing, clearly and explicitly—Since his tenure as the first Chair of Governance for Minor League Cricket in 2020, Atul Rai has largely remained muted in his public/written commentary on MLC and MiLC after leaving that role, though noted in 2022 that “the (MiLC) team owners have been heavily burdened financially and operationally.”
Leadership and its challenges, however, often bring moments that require reflection, adjustment, and realignment.
“I have no personal interest in MLC or MiLC — I do believe that they are good for USA Cricket.”
In a verified email sent to select media members, USA Cricket Board officials, and other stakeholders, USA Cricket Board Director and President of the Southern California Cricket Association, publicly endorsed Major League Cricket (MLC) and Minor League Cricket (MiLC) as the pillars of recent success and the game’s growth nationally and domestically in the USA. This statement, some may positively suggest, marks a good turning point — a first written and shared public acknowledgment in years, though amidst a larger crisis at the top, is a welcome sign for backers of MLC and MILC.
“the (USA) team’s performance, built on the backs of players who are on full time MLC contracts and derive most of their professional cricket from MLC and MiLC.”
Since 2019, the email states to note the success of pro cricket, as players across the country have been knocking on national doors through standout performances in Major & Minor League Cricket.
Local success stories include Ayan Desai and Ruben Clinton, who represented the Los Angeles Lashings before earning professional MLC contracts, with Desai going on to make the USA National Team. Players like Ayan would agree — the road was, and is, much longer than a single MiLC season, yet professional cricket has clearly made the climb worthwhile.
“Apart from the success of MLC and MiLC tournaments that are the highlight of the USA domestic cricket calendar, the success of the USA National team in the 2024 World Cup is a direct result of the 80+ players who have been professionally contracted, trained and managed by MLC since its inception in 2019, and which include every single member of the National squad.”
Such refreshing statements — unexpected yet decisive — validate to the local community that the MLC and MiLC pathways have quietly built the foundation for U.S. cricket’s domestic and international progress since 2019.
This recent revelation is already boosting confidence among local MiLC teams, ownership groups, supporters, and grassroots organizers who’ve worked tirelessly to grow and professionalize the Minor League structure locally amid governance and infrastructure challenges.
🔥But is it too late? We hope not.
Now that local leaders are publicly backing the successes of MLC and MiLC, supporters may believe Minor League Cricket WILL soon make its return to Los Angeles in 2026, with hopefully now an extra push — but where remains the million-dollar question, and under which national or local body’s governance will the sport fall by then. There’s a lot to look forward to — don’t go anywhere… Because, USA Cricket has filed for bankruptcy. Will the board war no one is talking about, on the telly, be over soon? We hope so, and positively for Los Angeles and SoCal Cricket Stakeholders. Stay tuned… the winds are shifting.
Context Addendum
These quotes and public remarks arrive against the backdrop of USA Cricket’s deepening governance crisis. As reported by ESPNcricinfo, and Wisden several board members have formally requested ICC intervention to investigate what they describe as the “collapse” of the organization, citing financial instability and leadership disputes. The ICC has already suspended USA Cricket’s membership over repeated governance breaches.
With this latest written & publicly shared endorsement of MLC and MiLC — first in years from a SoCal leader — carries added significance. It not only signals the current alignment or (re) alignment of local leaders’ thought process with professional cricket structures but also underscores a moment of reckoning for the sport’s national administration as stakeholders, community, and especially the players look for direction and reform.
📎 Source: Facebook post by Journalist Peter Della Penna (posted 10/13/2025)
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Disclaimer: This blog post summarizes stakeholder views and publicly available materials. Nothing herein should be construed as a definitive statement of fact regarding any individual or entity.
