Shorter format most suitable for cricket’s Olympic bid

FORMER NATIONAL cricketer Nehemiah Perry says that the shorter format of the game would be the most suitable avenue for cricket to achieve its goal of becoming an Olympic sport.

His comments come as the International Cricket Council (ICC) recently formally announced its intention for cricket to be part of the Olympic portfolio, setting a target for its inclusion for the 2028 Games in Los Angeles. The last time the sport was played at the Olympics was over a century ago, in 1900 in Paris, where only Great Britain and France took part.

Perry said that either the T20 or T10 (10 overs per innings) format of the game would be the best versions of the game to be played as it would not only increase the excitement and visibility of the sport worldwide, but would fit within the schedule parameters for the International Olympic Committee.

“I think that the format they would take it would be T20. They would probably take it down lower to the T10 format,” Perry told The Gleaner. “You want to ensure that you don’t overrun the timeline with the Olympics. If you are going to invite a lot of teams, then it is going to take time to get through all of these games.

“At the end of the day, you want some excitement. You want to see it as a game that is about joy and glory, and so on. Sometimes the 50-over can be a little bit long and drawn out, and you only can play maybe one game per day or maybe two games per day.

Opportune time

In a statement last week Tuesday, ICC chair Greg Barclay said that he saw the initiative as part of the future health of the game and believed that it was the opportune time for the sport to make its return.

“We believe cricket would be a great addition to the Olympic Games, but we know it won’t be easy to secure our inclusion as there are so many other great sports out there wanting to do the same,” Barclay said. “But we feel now is the time to put our best foot forward and show what a great partnership cricket and the Olympics are.”

It is an initiative that Perry says is doable but will require involvement from all stakeholders, including the IOC, the ICC, and the various regional bodies in determining the qualifying requirements as well the role full and associate members of the ICC would play in the venture. However, he sees the long-term benefits that it could have for the sport, especially among those who are unfamiliar with the game.

“It’s going to be very interesting. It’s going to take quite a bit, but I think it’s possible. More than likely the mechanism and all these platforms will be in place to accommodate these games,” Perry said. “It will enhance cricket a lot in terms of visibility and popularity. Persons would get more interested, and it would enhance cricket in different countries, countries that haven’t played the sport.”

The ICC has put together an Olympic working group, which will be chaired by England and Wales chair, Ian Watmore.

There are certain requirements that a sport must meet to be added to the Games. The sport must be governed by an international federation recognised by the IOC and also must comply with the World Anti-Doping Code. Additionally, among the criteria considered in the decision, according to the Olympic Programme Commission, are the sport’s history and tradition, the number of participating countries in their respective major tournaments, as well as the sport’s popularity (spectator attendance at World Championships, press and television coverage, athlete participation).