T20 cricket in 2024 Summer Olympics?

The first time cricket was played at the Summer Olympics was way back in 1900 at the Velodrome de Vincennes. The only match that was played in the tournament was between France and Great Britain, which the latter won by 158 runs. Ever since then, the gentleman’s game never found its way back into the Olympic Games.

But it seems that cricket might return to 2024 Olympics. Most of the International Cricket Council (ICC) members are in favour of this inclusion. International Olympics Committee (IOC) are set to consider this move. Rio Olympics 2016 saw Rugby Sevens being introduced for the first time in the Games. Baseball and softball will also make a return in Tokyo Olympics 2020.

"I think a majority of the (ICC) members and certainly myself think the time is right. I think we have come to the conclusion the overall benefit to globalise it (cricket) and grow the game will outweigh any negatives. We need to make a decision by July this year so we can make an application in time for September, when, as I understand it, the IOC will consider new sports for 2024," Richardson was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.

T20 cricket is likely going to be the suited option for Olympics. However, cricket will only be included if the best players from all the nations are available for the Games.

"They've told us we mustn't send beach cricket or six-a-side teams, it must be a format played at international level and it must be our top players. Twenty20 is the ideal format and would be even better than (rugby) sevens, we would say, as it is one of the mainstream formats of cricket," Richardson added.

• Cricket
• Olympics