Cricket

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has expressed its willingness to collaborate with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include cricket in the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2030. This move aligns with the Indian government's bid to host the 2030 YOG in Mumbai.In an email exchange, Vivek Gopalan, a sports enthusiast, proposed the idea to William Glenwright, ICC's General Manager of Development. Glenwright responded positively, acknowledging the potential of cricket's inclusion in the YOG. The correspondence included key ICC stakeholders, ensuring their awareness of the initiative.Gopalan emphasized the strong case for cricket's inclusion, citing the Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's public declaration of India's desire to host both the 2030 YOG and 2036 Olympics. Modi had previously mentioned the YOG during his speech at the IOC session in Mumbai in 2023.The email highlighted the potential impact of cricket's inclusion on grassroots development, particularly among ICC Associate countries. The YOG, which caters to athletes aged 15 to 18, could provide a global platform for young cricketers to showcase their skills.The email also noted the IOC's recognition of cricket's brand value and its potential to enhance the Olympic brand. This recognition could facilitate the inclusion of cricket as a core sport in the YOG.Cricket's return to the Olympic Games is already confirmed for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, marking its first appearance since 1900. The ICC's willingness to work with the IOC on the YOG further underscores the growing recognition of cricket's global appeal and its potential to inspire young athletes.

Hayley Matthews, the captain of the West Indies Women's cricket team, acknowledges the team's recent decline but remains determined to bridge the gap with the world's top teams. Despite being ranked sixth in the T20 format, Matthews believes that the team is on the right track, citing the efforts of Cricket West Indies (CWI) to invest in grassroots development programs.Matthews emphasizes the importance of fostering a love for the game, recalling her own childhood experiences on cricket fields. She has taken over the captaincy from Stafanie Taylor, who led the team to the T20 World Cup title in 2016. Since then, West Indies has faced challenges in building depth due to limited resources.However, CWI has taken steps to address these issues, increasing the number of women on retainer contracts, introducing the Women's Rising Stars Under-19s program, and launching the West Indies Women's Academy. The senior team's budget has also been increased, allowing for improved travel arrangements.While these initiatives will take time to bear fruit, Matthews is committed to inspiring her team both on and off the field. She has been a standout performer for West Indies in recent months, scoring centuries and taking wickets in series against Australia, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.Matthews draws inspiration from Taylor's leadership style, emphasizing the importance of setting an example and creating a positive team culture. She acknowledges that West Indies is an underdog at the upcoming T20 World Cup in Bangladesh but believes that the team can surprise opponents with strong individual performances.The return of Deandra Dottin, who reversed her international retirement last week, could further boost West Indies' chances. Matthews remains cautious about commenting on Dottin's potential selection for the World Cup but acknowledges her ability to turn matches single-handedly.

The United States' World Cup journey has come to an end, but the team's aspirations for improvement remain strong. After two decisive defeats in Barbados, USA allrounder Harmeet Singh has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced outdoor infrastructure to elevate the team's performance.Singh believes that the lack of adequate outdoor training facilities has hindered the team's progress. "We need the whole system in place," he said. "Trainers need to be able to work with us all year even if remotely. We need a lot more outdoor set-ups, need good training facilities."The absence of outdoor infrastructure has particularly affected batters, who have struggled to adjust to slower pitches after training indoors. Singh highlighted the need for grassroots development and a strong bench strength, which can only be achieved through improved training facilities.While franchise cricket can provide opportunities for a select few, Singh emphasized the importance of investing in infrastructure to foster a cricket-playing nation. "The cricketing community is large, especially in Texas, New Jersey, and Seattle," he said. "But we don't have enough turf practice facilities everywhere."Singh also acknowledged the need for a shift in mindset among players. "Kids when they practice indoor, they go outdoors straight away on turf pitches, and there's no feet, nothing," he said. "So all that needs to change."The team's recent performances have generated excitement among the Asian diaspora, but Singh believes it is crucial to capitalize on this momentum by providing the necessary infrastructure. "The work starts now," he said. "Not tomorrow, the work starts now in our heads. We need to think how we are going to be at the 2026 World Cup."USA Cricket must provide the team with ample games and training opportunities, while players must commit to personal development. By addressing the infrastructure deficit and fostering a culture of excellence, the United States can aspire to achieve greater success in the future.