How to Follow Cricket in the USA: Complete Guide

By Kartik Sharma | Data Analyst & Reporter

More than 20 million people in the United States are estimated to follow cricket in some form, and that audience continues to grow through international tournaments and Major League Cricket. If you're wondering how to follow cricket in the USA, the answer is straightforward: combine the right streaming service, a reliable live-score app and trusted cricket news sources to never miss a match.

Not long ago, finding live cricket in America meant searching through niche television channels or unreliable online streams. Not anymore. With dedicated broadcasters, official streaming platforms and the rapid growth of domestic competitions, cricket has become far easier to watch and follow across the United States. Whether you're an expatriate missing home, an American discovering the sport for the first time or simply looking to keep up with international matches, there are now more options than ever.

Watch Live Cricket Through Official Broadcasters

The simplest way to follow cricket in the USA is by watching official broadcasts. Broadcasting rights change between tournaments, but international cricket is now widely available through licensed television and streaming services.

Willow TV remains the primary destination for cricket in the United States. It regularly carries international bilateral series involving India, Australia, England, Pakistan, South Africa and other Full Member nations. The channel also broadcasts many ICC events and domestic T20 leagues when rights permit.

Major League Cricket, America's professional franchise competition, has further increased cricket's visibility. Matches are available through official broadcast partners and digital streaming services, making it easier for new fans to watch elite players without staying awake for overnight overseas fixtures.

For the biggest ICC tournaments—including the Cricket World Cup and T20 World Cup—broadcast rights can vary, so checking the official tournament website before each competition is always worthwhile.

Understand Which Cricket Format You're Watching

Following cricket becomes much easier once you understand the three international formats.
  • T20 International: Around three hours. Fast scoring, aggressive batting and quick results. Ideal for beginners.
  • One-Day International (ODI): Around eight hours. Each side bats 50 overs, creating a balance between attack and strategy.
  • Test Cricket: Played over five days. The longest format rewards patience, tactical planning and technical excellence.
  • The difference matters because schedules, player selection and tactics change dramatically between formats. A specialist T20 batter may rarely play Test cricket, while elite Test bowlers often prioritise longer matches.

    For most newcomers in the USA, T20 cricket offers the easiest introduction before exploring ODI and Test matches.

    Stay Updated With Live Scores Anywhere

    Watching every match simply isn't realistic. Cricket is played across multiple continents, often in vastly different time zones, meaning many fixtures begin overnight for American audiences.

    That's where live-score platforms become essential.

    The most widely used services provide:

  • Ball-by-ball commentary
  • Live scorecards
  • Partnership statistics
  • Wagon wheels and pitch maps
  • Player rankings
  • Team news
  • Match previews
  • Historical records
    • Historical records

    Two platforms dominate global cricket coverage: ESPNcricinfo and Cricbuzz. Their mobile apps send instant notifications for wickets, centuries, match starts and final results, allowing fans to follow games even during work or travel.

    If you're interested in deeper analysis, official ICC statistics and player rankings also provide valuable context throughout the year.

    Follow Domestic Leagues As Well As International Cricket

    Many new fans focus exclusively on international matches. That's only half the story.

    Franchise cricket has transformed the global calendar.

    Several leagues now attract the world's best players throughout the year:

  • Major League Cricket (USA) – America's premier professional competition.
  • Indian Premier League (IPL) – The richest and most popular T20 league.
  • Big Bash League (Australia) – Fast-paced cricket played during the Australian summer.
  • SA20 (South Africa) – A rapidly growing tournament featuring international stars.
  • The Hundred (England) – A shorter, unique format designed for new audiences.
  • Following domestic leagues helps fans recognise players before international tournaments begin. Many future international stars first make their names in franchise cricket.

    Build Your Cricket Routine Around Time Zones

    Time difference is the biggest challenge for American supporters.

    A Test match in England often begins early in the morning on the US East Coast. Matches in India frequently start overnight for viewers on the West Coast. Australian cricket can require watching late at night or catching highlights the next morning.

    Rather than trying to watch every ball, experienced fans usually combine several methods:

  • Watch marquee matches live.
  • Catch extended highlights for overnight fixtures.
  • Enable score notifications.
  • Listen to podcasts during commutes.
  • Read match reports to understand the key tactical moments.
    This approach makes following cricket manageable without disrupting work or family life.
  • Quick Reference: Best Ways to Follow Cricket in the USA

    NeedBest Option
    Live TVWillow TV
    Live ScoresESPNcricinfo, Cricbuzz
    Official RankingsICC website
    Domestic US CricketMajor League Cricket
    Video HighlightsOfficial broadcasters and cricket boards
    Fixtures & ResultsICC and ESPNcricinfo

    Learn The Game Beyond The Scoreboard

    Cricket becomes far more enjoyable once you understand its tactics.

    Learning field placements, bowling variations, batting strategies and captaincy decisions transforms a simple scoreline into a fascinating contest. Modern analytics have also become central to the sport, with teams relying heavily on match-ups, strike rates, economy rates and expected scoring patterns.

    Statistics often tell stories that the scoreboard cannot. A batter scoring 40 from 18 deliveries may influence a match more than someone making a steady 70 from 95 balls. Likewise, a bowler conceding only 22 runs in four T20 overs can decide the outcome without taking multiple wickets.

    That growing appreciation for data is one reason cricket continues attracting new fans worldwide.

    Following cricket in the USA has never been easier. Official broadcasters, dedicated streaming platforms, comprehensive live-score apps and an expanding domestic league mean fans can stay connected wherever they are. Start with T20 cricket, explore the longer formats gradually and use trusted digital tools to keep pace with the global calendar. The next question isn't whether you'll find cricket to watch—it's how many matches you'll end up following each week as the sport's American audience continues to grow.