Canada to host USA as international sports' oldest series returns
Purportedly to be the first international sporting contest, the K.A. Auty Cup Trophy was first played in 1844. The two-day match at St George's Cricket Club in Manhattan was won by 23 runs by Canada.
After a 17-year gap, the Auty Cup returned in 2011 and has been played across a variety of formats since. This year’s edition will be a 50-over series played in Canada from 26-30 July, pending the final approval of the Canadian health authorities.
It will take place immediately after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier, also hosted in Canada from 17-23 July.
The series will provide both nations the chance to fine tune their 50-over games ahead of key series in August.
Canada will be preparing for their ICC Cricket World Cup Challenge League series and USA their ICC Cricket World Cup League 2 series.
The Auty Cup is returning 👏@canadiancricket will host @usacricket in a 50 Overs series to be played this coming summer directly after the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Americas Qualifier. pic.twitter.com/pAIgNwJRXG
— ICC (@ICC) March 9, 2021
“We would like to thank our friends at Cricket Canada for hosting the return of the Auty Cup in 2021,” Paraag Marathe, the newly reappointed USA Cricket Chairman, said. “The deep history and heritage of cricket across North America is something we both hold very dearly and we are excited to have been able to find a window to reinstate our local and historic rivalry for the Auty Cup.”
“After an incredibly difficult 12 months or so for all cricketing nations, we are very pleased to be able to have a strong summer of cricket to look forward to in 2021,” Raspal Bajwa, Cricket Canada President, said. “We are looking forward to renewing rivalries in the Auty Cup and host our neighbours in USA Cricket directly after the T20 World Cup Qualifier this summer."