David Richardson hints ICC will hold further talks to get cricket included in Olympics

David Richardson backs MCC’s view of backing T20 cricket for the 2024 Olympics

ICC chief executive David Richardson has given the strongest hint yet that they will push for cricket to be included in the Olympics, ESPNcricinfo reported. The game has been played at the world’s premier international event only once, way back in 1900, but cricket enthusiasts have been pushing for the T20 version to be made part of the 2024 games.

Cricket, along with 32 other sports, have been shortlisted by the International Olympic Association (IOA) to be included in the 2024 edition. A decision on which all sports make the final cut will be made in 2017, but an application to this effect have to be submitted by next year.

Speaking at a special programme organised as part of the matchday programme for the second Ashes Test on Thursday, Richardson said: "Everybody accepts from a development point of view it would probably be a good thing if cricket was in the Olympics."

The former South African cricketer added that further talks will be held as there were plenty of issues to be sorted out, including the international calendar and how some teams would line up.

"There are difficulties. It would take place in mid of an England season, and England and the West Indies would not play in the Olympics as England and the West Indies. But I am sure we will be speaking about this again."

Difference of opinion exists in the cricket world over the issue

India is reportedly not in favour of the issue and confusion prevails over England’s stance on the same. The Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), who formulates the law of the game, wants the sport to be made part of the Olympics while the England Cricket Board(ECB) chief Giles Clarke is a known opponent of the matter.

"The (MCC) committee is unanimous in its belief that every effort should be made to make cricket an Olympic sport, and urges all governing bodies around the world to get behind such a bid," the MCC had said in a statement earlier in July as reported by Al Jazeera.

Richardson has made ICC’s stance on the subject clear with his statements but did make a reference to the difference of opinion which exist. He said: “Certain members feel we have World T20 and do not need another T20 game to develop the game."

2019 ICC Cricket World Cup to be a 10-team affair

The ICC chief executive also clarified on the controversy regarding the number of teams that will participate in the next World Cup scheduled to be held in 2019.

"My sense has always been that we want the World Cup to be the flagship - a tournament for the best teams in the world. The decision to go to 10 teams for the 2019 World Cup was made before the 2015 World Cup," Richardson said. "At that stage we had no proper qualification pathway for associate members to qualify for the World Cup. Now we do.”