Cricket

Cricket's Olympic Return Faces Venue Challenges, May Move Outside Los AngelesCricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has hit a snag, with organizers struggling to find a suitable venue within the city limits. LA28 Chairman Casey Wasserman announced that if a viable location in Los Angeles cannot be secured, the sport may be staged outside the city.Wasserman emphasized the need for a large footprint to accommodate cricket's requirements. He stated that organizers are exploring all options to find the best possible venue that will maximize the sport's success.Recent reports suggest that New York is a potential candidate to host cricket at Nassau County Stadium on Long Island. The venue successfully hosted matches during the 2022 T20 Cricket World Cup, impressing Olympic officials.Staging cricket in New York would also enhance its commercial appeal, as daytime matches would coincide with prime time in major cricket markets like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh.LA28 has already decided to relocate softball and canoe slalom to Oklahoma, demonstrating their willingness to move events outside of California.The International Olympic Committee's coordination commission is currently visiting Los Angeles to assess the city's preparations for the 2028 Games. The commission will provide feedback and recommendations to help organizers finalize venue plans.Cricket's inclusion in the Olympics marks a significant milestone for the sport, which last appeared at the Games in 1900. Its return is expected to generate excitement and attract a global audience.

Cricket's return to the Olympics after a 128-year absence could see matches played on the East Coast of the United States to cater to the massive Indian audience and tap into the growing domestic market in the host country.According to LA28 host committee chair Casey Wasserman, the East Coast's more favorable time zone for Indian viewers compared to the West Coast makes it the preferred location for the men's and women's cricket competitions. New York, which hosted preliminary-round matches of the T20 World Cup earlier this year, is a potential venue.Wasserman emphasized the importance of maximizing cricket viewership in India, a country with a huge fan base. He noted that the East Coast is nine-and-a-half hours behind India, allowing viewers to watch the matches live, while Los Angeles is 12-and-a-half hours behind.The LA28 organizers are exploring the use of pre-existing infrastructure to host cricket matches, potentially saving over $150 million and generating new revenue. The three venues that hosted the T20 World Cup in the US – Dallas, Fort Lauderdale, and a temporary stadium on Long Island – are potential candidates.Hosting Olympic competitions away from the main center is not uncommon. The Paris Olympics featured surfing events in Tahiti, sailing in Marseille, shooting in Chateauroux, and soccer matches across the country.

India's Cricketers Escape Scrutiny Amidst Olympic FrenzyNew Delhi: In a rare occurrence, India's cricketers have found themselves out of the spotlight as the nation's attention has shifted towards the ongoing Olympics in Paris. With the Indian cricket team currently touring Sri Lanka under the leadership of newly appointed head coach Gautam Gambhir, the usual intense scrutiny of their performances has temporarily subsided.This respite from constant media attention is largely due to the captivating spectacle of the Olympics, which has captivated the imagination of sports enthusiasts across the country. The Indian contingent's impressive performances in various disciplines, including athletics, shooting, and wrestling, have further fueled the nation's Olympic fever.While the cricketers may be enjoying a brief respite from the relentless scrutiny, their absence from the headlines is not a sign of diminished importance. Cricket remains the most popular sport in India, and the team's performances are always a matter of national pride. However, the Olympics have provided a welcome distraction, allowing the cricketers to focus on their preparations without the added pressure of constant public scrutiny.For Gambhir, this tour of Sri Lanka marks his first assignment as head coach. The former India opener has been tasked with rebuilding the team after a disappointing performance in the recent T20 World Cup. While the results in Sri Lanka may not be as crucial as in major tournaments, they will provide valuable insights into the team's progress under Gambhir's leadership.As the Olympics draw to a close, the focus will inevitably shift back to cricket. The Indian team will face a challenging schedule in the coming months, including a home series against Australia and a tour of England. The performances of the team during these matches will be closely scrutinized, as they will provide a barometer of India's progress under Gambhir's guidance.

Former Australian captain Allan Border has sparked controversy by calling for the iconic Gabba cricket ground in Brisbane to be demolished and replaced with a new multi-purpose stadium for the 2032 Olympics. Border believes that a new 60,000-seat stadium at Victoria Park would better serve the needs of multiple sports, including rugby, cricket, Australian rules football, and the Olympics.The Gabba has been a fortress for Australia, but India's historic Test series win in 2021 raised questions about its future. The Queensland government recently abandoned a $2.7 billion plan to demolish and rebuild the Gabba for the Olympics, instead investing in upgrades to other sporting facilities.Border argues that a new stadium would not only provide a world-class venue for major events but also generate revenue through the sale of property on the Gabba's current site. He believes that the uncertainty surrounding the Gabba's future has led to Brisbane being excluded from Australia's Test match schedule for the next seven years.Former wicketkeeper-batter Ian Healy shares Border's concerns, expressing Cricket Australia's anxiety about the future of cricket in Brisbane. Healy points out that other states are investing in new stadiums, while Brisbane has been left behind.The Queensland government's decision to reject a proposal for a new oval stadium at Victoria Park has further complicated the situation. With state elections approaching in October, the future of the Gabba remains uncertain.Border's proposal has sparked debate, with some supporting his call for a new stadium and others arguing for the preservation of the Gabba's heritage. The Queensland government will ultimately decide the fate of the iconic venue, which has played a significant role in Australian cricket history.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has announced the inclusion of cricket in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, marking the sport's return to the Olympics after a 128-year absence. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Scotland have initiated discussions to field men's and women's Team GB cricket teams at the Games.The ICC has proposed six-team T20 tournaments for both the women's and men's competitions, with each tournament expected to last around a week. Qualification details are yet to be confirmed, but the ICC's T20I rankings will likely play a role.If England qualifies, they will compete as Great Britain, in line with the rest of the Olympics. This opens up the possibility of Scottish players, such as Brandon McMullen or Sarah and Kathryn Bryce, representing Team GB.The ECB and Cricket Scotland are collaborating on the proposed Team GB cricket teams. Cricket Scotland is eager to contribute players and staff, while the ECB will serve as the teams' nominated governing body.Andy Anson, the chief executive of the British Olympic Association, emphasized the importance of collaboration between the ECB and Cricket Scotland. He cited successful examples in other sports, such as golf, rugby, and women's football, where the Four Nations have come together to nominate a single governing body.The venue for the cricket events at the 2028 Olympics is yet to be confirmed. Los Angeles Knight Riders and Major League Cricket are planning to build a stadium in Great Park in Irvine, while the Oakland Coliseum is also a potential option.West Indies' potential involvement presents some complications, as cricket is organized on an all-Ireland basis. However, there is precedent from the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where Barbados represented West Indies in the women's cricket event.Involvement in the Olympics will add to an already busy 2028 summer for England's men, which includes six Tests and white-ball tours from Australia and India.

Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has sparked excitement among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting believes this opportunity will significantly expand the sport's reach and popularity.Ponting, a three-time ODI World Cup winner, recently coached the Washington Freedom to this year's Major League Cricket title, giving him valuable insight into how cricket is perceived in the USA. He emphasized that the Olympic Games provide a unique platform to expose cricket to a vast new audience."The Olympic Games being viewed by so many people all around the world, it just opens up completely different audiences to our game that's seemingly growing on a daily basis anyway," said Ponting.Ponting also pointed out the potential for cricket to tap into baseball's fanbase in the USA. "The way that I sort of try and compare the two is we've all been to games of Major League Baseball. Huge events, the bat and ball game that Americans are growing up with and that game goes for four hours and through the history of the game, there's less than one home run scored in every game," he said."So when you compare baseball to what the excitement and entertainment package that T20 cricket brings, then it should be a reasonably easy sell to the young kids in the US."Ponting expressed his excitement about the possibility of serving as either a mentor or coach for the Australian team at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "It'd be a pretty nice job, I reckon, to be a mentor around a cricket team in the Olympic Games, to hang out," he said.The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is a testament to the sport's growing global appeal. It provides an opportunity for cricket to reach new heights and inspire future generations of players.

Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has garnered support from legendary Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid. During a panel discussion, Dravid expressed his enthusiasm for the sport's Olympic debut, stating that players are already discussing the opportunity to compete for a gold medal.Dravid believes that the Olympics provide a unique platform for athletes to showcase their skills and experience the camaraderie of the Games Village. He anticipates that teams will prioritize preparation and competition for the cricket tournament, recognizing its significance."People are going to want to win that gold medal, stand on the podium, and be a part of the Games Village, a great sporting event, and interact with so many athletes," Dravid said. "As you get closer, I have no doubt that teams will be preparing and checking out facilities. They will take this seriously, and players will fight tooth and nail to be out there."ICC CEO Geoff Allardice echoed Dravid's sentiments, predicting that cricket will be a major attraction at the LA Olympics. He emphasized the global appeal of the sport and the excitement it will generate among fans."It's quite surreal to be here in Paris, seeing the energy around sport and how it's getting together. Cricket is starting to dawn on the global sporting community," Allardice said. "I think cricket will be one of the star attractions in Los Angeles...when you see global stars of big sports around the world competing in one city at a time."Dravid expressed his hope that India would emerge victorious in both the men's and women's cricket competitions at the LA Games. He also joked about his desire to be involved in the event in some capacity, even if it meant securing a media job.The men's and women's cricket tournaments will run concurrently at the LA Olympics, offering fans the opportunity to witness the world's best players compete for Olympic glory.

Rahul Dravid, the legendary Indian cricketer, has expressed his unwavering support for the inclusion of cricket in the Olympic Games. During a panel discussion in Paris, Dravid revealed that current players are eagerly anticipating the prospect of competing in the global sporting spectacle.Dravid's presence in Paris was part of a discussion titled 'Cricket at the Olympics: Dawn of a New Era.' The event celebrated the momentous decision to include cricket in the 2028 Los Angeles Games, a significant milestone for the sport."I've already heard conversations in the dressing room. People are talking about the 2026 T20 World Cup, the 2027 ODI World Cup, and the Olympics in 2028," Dravid said. "Players are determined to win that gold medal and be a part of the Games Village."Dravid expressed his desire for India to dominate both the men's and women's cricket competitions in Los Angeles. "The dream for me is to have Indian men and women winning the gold," he said. "But more than that, I want Indian fans to come to LA and support cricket, showing the world how great a sport it is."Dravid also defended the 10:30am start time for T20 World Cup matches in the United States. "I don't think starting at 10:30am was a problem," he said. "We are in the entertainment business, and we need to cater to people who want to watch the sport."Geoff Allardice, the CEO of the ICC, echoed Dravid's sentiments, stating that cricket will be one of the "star attractions" in Los Angeles. "Cricket is starting to dawn on the global sporting community," he said. "We are going to be very, very strong come 2028."Dravid also praised the progress of women's cricket, noting the increasing participation of young girls. "Women's cricket is already going forward," he said. "It's fantastic to have it going on concurrently with the men's competition. Cricket is becoming a lot more inclusive and attractive."

In 2009, T20 cricket was gaining traction, with India's World T20 victory and the IPL's success. The second IPL season, held in South Africa, witnessed massive crowds, prompting Australian legend Matthew Hayden to predict T20's global expansion and inclusion in the Olympics.Over a decade later, Hayden's prophecy is materializing. The Indian cricket board's support has enabled the ICC to include T20 in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Before that, the format faces a test in the US, where 16 matches of the T20 World Cup will be played, including the India-Pakistan clash.US Cricket chairman Venu Pisike emphasizes the need for "high intensity" cricket to attract American audiences beyond the subcontinental diaspora. This has led to significant evolution in the format, with batting-friendly pitches, power-hitting becoming paramount, and strike rate and economy rate becoming key statistics.The recent IPL witnessed a batting frenzy, with eight 250-plus scores and a 261-run chase. However, the T20 World Cup may see a shift in focus, as the Super 8s, semis, and final will be played in the West Indies, where pitches have been less conducive to high-scoring matches.Bowlers welcome this potential slowdown, as they have been under pressure in recent months. Australian paceman Mitchell Starc believes the impact player rule's absence and slower pitches in the West Indies could limit high scores and give bowlers a greater role.Despite the potential for slower conditions, modern T20 batters have shown a willingness to attack regardless of circumstances. As the T20 World Cup unfolds, fans can expect a month of thrilling cricket, with the best spot on the couch being the most sought-after commodity.