ICC president opposed to Olympic cricket

New ICC president Mustafa Kamal has upheld his organisation's position on cricket at the Olympics, saying it would not be viable as the game takes too long to play at the best of times.
New ICC president Mustafa Kamal has upheld his organisation's position on cricket at the Olympics, saying it would not be viable as the game takes too long to play at the best of times.
The ECB and BCCI had already expressed opposition to the idea, and as two third of the Big Three, the matter seemed a moot one. Kamal pondered what the point would be of sending weaker teams to the Games.
Kamal said: "We have debated it a lot, whether we should go to Olympics. Football sends B, C or D teams to Olympics, so what will we gain by sending B, C or D team from cricket?
"We feel that our value will be diluted if we go there. Cricket has a legacy, it has importance.
"Cricket takes time. Something like a 100m run takes 9 seconds. I might need 11 seconds, so you tell me how you can send so many countries and play such a lengthy game in the Olympics?"
The ICC's position prompted disappointment, with Olympic Council of Asia secretary general Raja Randhir saying on Cricinfo: "If cricket was on the Olympic programme it would give a great boost.
"It would not be restricted to the few countries where it's played and it would come on a global stage where all the greats of the world of sport are playing."
He also questioned the notion that it would take time away from regular cricket schedules and cost boards money, saying: "It's a question of 15 days, how does it make a difference?
"Every international sport fixes their calendar around the Olympics and they aren't something that's shifted around. I think cricket can work its calendar around that."
Latest
-
News
England will not alter aggressive approach during Ashes – Brendon McCullum
England face Ireland before their build-up to the Ashes opener will contain days off, training and ‘quality time’.
-
News
Tom Banton inspires Somerset to third win from three at start of Blast campaign
Glamorgan lost regular wickets and were all out for 153 in 19.4 overs.
-
News
James Anderson and Ollie Robinson should be fit for Ashes – Brendon McCullum
The England seamers will miss the one-off Test against Ireland, as expected, but should be fit for the Ashes opener.
-
News
ICC chief Wasim Khan accepts Tests and franchise leagues must learn to coexist
Jason Roy last week cancelled his England incremental contract to play in Major League Cricket.
-
T20 Blast
Tom Banton inspires Somerset to third win from three at start of Blast campaign
Glamorgan lost regular wickets and were all out for 153 in 19.4 overs.
-
County Cricket
Has ‘Bazball’ taken hold in county cricket? What the numbers tell us
Brendon McCullum and Ben Stokes are keen to see their England side’s aggressive approach replicated in the domestic game.
-
England
Opening batter Ben Duckett backed to thrive long-term in second England chance
Since his recall late last year, Duckett has been the model opening batter for the regime under Ben Stokes and Brendon McCullum.
-
Women's Cricket
Alex Hartley: Taking indefinite break from cricket was ‘hardest decision’ ever
Hartley announced on her BBC No Balls Podcast on Friday that she had been “struggling mentally” for several months.
-
England
England will keep embracing risks during Ashes despite ‘blip’ – Daryl Mitchell
England have enjoyed some rousing successes since Ben Stokes and Kiwi favourite Brendon McCullum took over the Test team.
-
Women's Cricket
Australia captain Meg Lanning ruled out of women’s Ashes
Cricket Australia said the 31-year-old has been ‘withdrawn from the squad due to a medical issue’.