The International Cricket Council (ICC) have discussed their intention for cricket to be part of the 2028 Olympic Games. The last time cricket was included was in the 1900 games in Paris, France. Since then, it has been absent from the global stage.
The 2028 games will be held in Los Angeles and it’s hoped that an estimated 30 million cricket fans in the USA will prove a decisive factor in including it. Typically played over 5 days, it’s not surprising that cricket has been subject to an extended break from the Olympics. However, the growth of shorter forms of the game such as Twenty20 matches, which can be played in around 3 hours, could make cricket an ideal candidate for inclusion in 2028. If it’s to be added to the roster for LA, online betting sites in Pakistan and many other countries will offer odds on the matches, such is the interest in certain regions.
Currently, an estimated 92% of worldwide cricket fans reside in south Asia, that’s unsurprising given the popularity of the sport in countries such as India, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. Originally invented in England, there are still only 12 countries that have full ICC member status. This means they are able to play all forms of the game, from Test matches which are played over five days to shorter formats such as T20 which have become hugely successful in the past 20 years. T20 is likely to be the chosen format if cricket is to be included with a shortened tournament – similar to that of the men’s and women’s football competitions – which is possible to complete within 3 weeks.
Although the sport is mostly popular in the commonwealth regions, the belief is that cricket would benefit substantially from the global spotlight of the Olympics, bringing in new viewers and leveraging the established global following. Tokyo 2020 saw several sports added to the Olympics; sport climbing, surfing, skateboarding karate, baseball and softball were all either first time inclusions or returned after an absence. Perhaps the best example from 2020 though, is the 3×3 basketball that was introduced in Tokyo. It takes a more established sport and reimagines it in a shorter, fast-paced format that has only been around since the late 2000s. It’s impossible to deny the parallels with Twenty20 cricket.
A committee has been put together with the aim to progress the idea over the coming months in the hope of securing an agreement. The “Olympic Working Group” is being headed by England and Wales Cricket Board chairman Ian Watmore. ICC Chairman Greg Barclay recently said: “We feel now is the time to put our best foot forward and show what a great partnership cricket and the Olympics are.” The move is being supported by several countries including Cricket Australia, which should make for a stronger case on the assumption that the world’s best players will be able to attend the showpiece event.
Typically, the line-up of events for a games is decided by the International Olympic Committee no more than three years before they are due to take place, meaning the road ahead could be a long way for sports wishing to be included for Paris. That said, it’s hard to deny the appeal that cricket could bring to an event that has typically failed to make as much of an impact in South Asia as it does in other areas of the world.
With cricket’s major following coming from this region, it’s inclusion for Paris 2028 could be a win-win for sporting authorities on both sides.
