Indianapolis: The American Cricket Federation has informed ICC Americas Regional Development Manager Ben Kavenagh that the ACF is making good progress on all thosee fronts which he had identified that high performance associates.

On raising funds beyond what comes from the International Cricket Federation, the ACF Chief Executive Officer Jamie Harrison has reported to Mr Ben Kavenagh that the ACF funds its many successful programs by raising money outside of ICC sources at a current rate of 100 per cent.

"It should also please you to know that nearly 90 per cent of the funds ACF has raised were immediately reinvested in programs that benefit American cricketers. We're very proud of that fact. We are also negotiating with a number of potential sponsors who will help us to rapidly grow our programs," said Mr Harrison in his report.

Harrison disclosed that the ACF began its existence as a loose committee of over 20 dedicated administrators, without distinction or division of labor. "Today, we have a constitutionally determined executive body with very specific areas of responsibility. Individuals and small groups are assigned short-term, intermediate and long-term objectives, and this has made for very effective administrative results, as you can probably tell from how successful we have been in such a short time."

ACF is implementing a national cricket structure that emulates the English county structure, which American leagues playing the role of English counties. "We are working closely with our leagues to convert them into regional development centers, featuring cricket programs at all levels, from young children to seniors, and also for all genders. The leagues are very excited about this vision, and frankly, so are we," Mr Harrison informed Mr Ben Kavenagh.

With the creation of the Newbery American Cricket Champions League, the United States finally has a functioning national 40-over domestic league in which league sides may participate. The winners of the national championship then goon to face the Canadian champions in the North American Cricket Championship in Phoenix.

"We will soon augment this competition with a national T20 competition, and in the future with women's and juniors programs. We have also just announced a new national side program, with players being drawn from the national domestic league. Team USA will soon have a professional General Manager, who will direct the operation of the national side, including the hiring of coaches, physio, support staff, etc." wrote Mr Harrison in his repot to the ICC Americas Regional Development Manager.

"So, as can be seen, there are many reasons to be optimistic about the progress of cricket in the United States, if you know where to look," said Mr Harrison further adding that the American Cricket Federation looks forward to expanding upon its leadership in the development of cricket in the United States in the coming weeks and months.

ICC Americas Regional Development Manager Ben Kavenagh has this weekend identified four things that high performance associates and affiliates do that need to happen in United States.

These items are: 1. Raise funds beyond what comes from the ICC. 2. Get better administratively. 3. Develop a logical local cricket structure and 4. Develop programs and a national division structure.