Cricket’s short Twenty20 format is tailor-made for Olympics but the sport’s administrators will consider any format which would ensure the game’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, USA Cricket chief Paraag Marathe has said.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is preparing a bid for the game’s return to the Olympics having last featured in the 1900 Paris Games.
Marathe is part of the ICC Olympic Working Group, which is chaired by English board chief Ian Watmore and includes, among others, former PepsiCo Inc CEO Indra Nooyi.
“I am hopeful that it is very likely. For the first time ever 106 member nations of the ICC are supportive of getting cricket into the Olympics,” Marathe told the Sport Unlocked podcast.
Twenty20 cricket – which lasts about three hours as opposed to as long as five days for Tests – has proved immensely successful, illustrated best by the sustained popularity of the cash-rich Indian Premier League (IPL).
The success of inaugural Hundred competition in England, which used a 100-ball format, has provided another alternative to the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
“I think the T20 format is one that is easily digestible and works. It certainly works from a timing perspective. It fits the format of American sports, roughly three hours,” Marathe explained.
“It’s an understood format because of the success of the IPL … but of course we will work with the IOC and if there is a different format they prefer then we are open to it.
“The most important thing for us is to get cricket in the Games. We do go in thinking that T20 is probably the best.”
Marathe, who met Watmore on Friday to discuss the issue, said cricket’s Olympic’s inclusion was not a “foregone conclusion”.
“I just know that for the first time we have a united effort of wanting to be in the Olympics and it’s long overdue in my opinion.”
Jack
Guest
I think it’s certainly worth the risk. A lot of funding for emerging countries from government if they are in Olympics. At the moment icc does all the heavy lifting in terms of dining the growth
Andre Leslie
Roar Guru
That's a good point too!
Jeff
Roar Rookie
I think you need to look at how many nations will actually get to play in the Olympic comp. it won’t be 106 that’s for sure. In a 2 week window, likely 16 at most - so the usual suspects in other words.
The PTA has disbanded
Guest
Or...or...wait until 2032 where you wouldn't have to convince a city like LA to spend 100's of millions of dollars building a couple of small cricket stadiums that will be bulldozed and reshaped into baseball grounds the following day after the Olympics is over. Allan Border Oval in Brisbane, Carrara in GC, up in Cairns as the three hubs for the matches. Aside from bringing in the temp seating for the AB oval, you wouldn't have to spend a cent.
Andre Leslie
Roar Guru
As a former Associate nation cricketer, I know that cricket at the Olympics would be huge for the game outside of the main cricketing strongholds. Those 'non-cricketing nations' will essentially be forced to engage with the sport, as their national side takes to the field. It will grow awareness from Europe to SE Asia, to the Americas. I think it's worth a decent crack.
Jeff
Roar Rookie
“The most important thing is for us to get cricket into the Games” Why? What’s so important about it that you come up with any darts at a dartboard format to make it fit in? Exposure over integrity it would seem.
Paul
Roar Guru
So the millions of dollars that will be wasted on an unsuccessful bid, that could have been used in all manner of ways to either support or grow the game, will come from where?