Cricket an Olympic sport? It could well be!

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has confirmed its intention to bid for cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics.

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The ICC has brought together a working group to lead the bid, with the aim of cricket becoming an Olympic sport by Los Angeles 2028.

Greg Barclay, the ICC chair, said: “Our sport is united behind this bid, and we see the Olympics as part of cricket’s long-term future. We have more than a billion fans globally and almost 90 percent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics.

“We believe cricket would be a great addition to the Olympic Games, but we know it won’t be easy to secure our inclusion as there are so many other great sports out there wanting to do the same. But we feel now is the time to put our best foot forward and show what a great partnership cricket and the Olympics could be.”

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There has only been one cricket match played at the Olympics.

In 1900, 24 players from France and Great Britain took part in a low-scoring Test match.

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England and Wales Cricket Board chairperson Ian Watmore will chair the ICC Olympic Working Group and he will be joined by the ICC Independent Director Indra Nooyi, chair of Zimbabwe Cricket Tavengwa Mukuhlani, ICC Associate Member Director and vice-president of the Asian Cricket Council Mahinda Vallipuram and chair of USA Cricket Paraag Marathe who believes the time is ripe for an Olympic bid. 

“USA Cricket is thrilled to be able to support cricket’s bid for inclusion in the Olympics, the timing of which aligns perfectly with our continuing plans to develop the sport in the USA. With so many passionate cricket fans and players already in the USA, and a huge global audience and following for the sport around the world, we believe that cricket’s inclusion will add great value to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games and help us to achieve our own vision for establishing cricket as a mainstream sport in this country.”