The MCC World Cricket Committee is backing the inclusion of Twenty20 at the 2024 Olympic Games, believing it could lead to "a potential boost" in the profile of the sport.It is unclear whether a men's competition would include the top players or not. (Tennis chooses to allow this; football doesn't, because of the fear that it would undermine the FIFA World Cup.)
Regardless, it would seem likely that a women's competition would include all of the top players and teams; and as such it could only be a good thing, with guaranteed TV coverage and global publicity... both of which were notably missing from a certain other event I could mention!
England skipper Lottie Edwards is on record as saying that she wished cricket had been part of London 2012. If she plays long enough*, she might just get her wish at Paris '24!
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* Unlikely, but...!
I don't think team sports with premier competitions should really be part of the Olympic calendar at all, but if they are to be, then Women's cricket would be an excellent sport to consider. Some cricketing nations, such as Australia and England, wouldn't be too concerned about another medal, but for nations like India, New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Pakistan the lure of a medal in Women's cricket could force them to invest in the game properly, India especially. What to do with the West Indies though?
ReplyDelete"Some cricketing nations, such as Australia and England, wouldn't be too concerned about another medal..."
ReplyDeleteThe players would though!
"What to do with the West Indies though?"
Had't thought of that - interesting question!