For the first time, the United States will host matches in the T20 Cricket World Cup, and it’s coming to South Florida. However, instead of Miami or Fort Lauderdale, the city of Lauderhill will play host to cricket’s biggest stage, in large part because of how the community has embraced the sport.
The sport Lauderhill is most famous for is golf. In the ’70s and ’80s, the Jackie Gleason Memorial Tournament was a major stop for professional golfers and celebrities. But the Inverrary Country Club golf course, once the spot of all the commotion, is now closed down and abandoned due to lack of popularity. In its absence, cricket has thrived.
“Oh, it is going to be a huge party,” said Lorena Ledesma, a former City of Lauderhill employee, on the excitement around the international cricket matches.
The four matches to be held in the city are Sri Lanka vs. Nepal, Canada vs. Ireland, USA vs. Ireland, and USA vs. India.
