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
-
NewsWarwickshire dominate first day at Lord’s as Lancashire collapse
Craig Miles took five wickets and the Red Rose were 12 for six before reaching 78, with the Bears 120 without loss in reply.
-
NewsJoe Root ‘desperate’ to play in Ashes but admits he is unable to commit yet
Root and his England team-mates are still in the dark about the exact conditions of entry into Australia.
-
NewsJoe Root ‘very grateful’ to win men’s player of the year at PCA awards
Eve Jones became the first female domestic professional to claim a PCA award when she was named cinch women’s player of the year.
-
NewsFive things we learned from England Women’s successful summer
Heather Knight’s side had series victories over India and New Zealand.
-
NewsJoe Root: Underappreciated Moeen Ali will be a huge loss for England
Derek Underwood and Graeme Swann are the only spinners to have taken more wickets for England than Moeen.
-
NewsEngland Women head coach Lisa Keightley praises her side after ODI series win
The team captained by Heather Knight beat New Zealand 4-1 to round off a busy summer.
-
NewsMoeen Ali quits Test cricket after failing to ‘get in the zone’ against India
The all-rounder will still be available for ODI and T20 games for England.
-
NewsEngland all-rounder Moeen Ali retires from Test cricket
The 34-year-old made his debut in 2014 and played 64 Test matches.
-
NewsTammy Beaumont hails ‘special moment’ as England end summer series on high note
The Kent-born batter scored 102 for her eighth one-day international hundred as England put on an impressive 347 for five.
-
NewsTammy Beaumont hits 102 as England thump New Zealand in final match of series
England put on an impressive 347 for five from their 50 overs.