Cricket at LA28

Cricket is likely to return to the Olympics after 128 years, with the International Olympic Committee’s executive board announcing it supports to the sport’s inclusion at the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles. The American organisers, who are calling the games LA28, proposed adding five new sports — cricket, baseball, squash, lacrosse and flag football. All of the sports, if added, would be for both men’s and women’s teams. The final vote will take place at a meeting on Monday, and while the other sports are still toss-ups, cricket seems to be a lock. Monday’s meeting, coincidentally, will be held in India, which is currently hosting the Cricket World Cup.

But unlike the World Cup, LA28 is likely to be a T20 tournament, and how entrants are determined will be interesting to see. The organisers have suggested a six-team event, one of which would be for the host nation, and commercial significance makes India, the UK and Australia the favourites for three other spots. Pakistan, South Africa, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka will probably compete for the last spot. But more teams could be added, since the formula is going to be debated thoroughly until formal approval of the sport’s inclusion. It is worth noting that unlike the 1900 games — the only time cricket was played at the games — we are certain that more than two countries will be interested in sending teams.

Also, for example, since the West Indies are not a country, several players will have to play for their weaker national teams, but a few, could play for ‘parent countries’ since their island homelands are actually overseas territories of the Netherlands — such as Keacy Carty — or the US or Great Britain. This could lead to a few interesting matches among sides that are not traditionally considered ‘a-list’. Allowing more teams could also help globalise the sport beyond its heartlands of former British colonies and into lucrative untapped or under-exploited markets, such as the Americas, East and South East Asia, and several African countries.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th, 2023.

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