T20 World Cup 2024: Hopefully my innings will open eyes of those who don’t know me or USA cricket, says Aaron Jones

Aaron Jones shines with a scintillating knock in the T20 World Cup opener, proving his worth in USA cricket.

New Yorker Aaron Jones on June 2 hoped his scintillating knock in the landmark T20 World Cup opener against Canada would "open the eyes of those who don't know me or USA cricket".

Jones' 40-ball 94 was an eye-opener as his team notched a convincing seven-wicket victory over rivals Canada in Dallas, beginning the home team's campaign on a rousing note in a tournament they are hosting for the first time, along with the West Indies.

Jones, whose place in the T20I side was under scrutiny and was released by Major League Cricket (MLC) franchise Seattle Orcas after its inaugural edition, said he showed he was "good enough" to play at the highest level. He was not picked in the last MLC draft.

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"When I wasn't selected in the Major League, I just took it as a stepping stone in the journey," he said.

"I would have loved to get drafted, so it goes sometimes. Hopefully tonight's innings will probably open the eyes of those who don't know me or USA cricket.

"We have great players here and that we have a lot of talent here and are willing to play at the highest level for sure." Set a target of 195, USA stuttered initially, losing opener Steven Taylor for zero in the second ball of the innings, and were 42/2 after 6.3 overs.