Women’s Cricket Confirmed for 2022 Commonwealth Games

Women’s T20 cricket has been included as a sport of medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham after a majority of the associations approved the idea to include along with the beach volleyball and Para-table tennis.

Eight teams will take place at Edgbaston in the competition that is a joint bid by the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB). However, Cricket has featured once before as well in 1998 Commonwealth Games when South Africa registered a win in men’s competition in Kuala Lumpur. With the inclusion of Women’s Cricket in the tournament, it will certainly help in the development as well, not only for India but also for other teams too.

“This is a truly historic moment for women’s cricket and for the global cricket community, who were united in their support of this bid,” said Chief Executive of the International Cricket Council, Manu Sawhney. “Women’s cricket continues to go from strength to strength, and we are delighted and honoured the Commonwealth Games Associations voted to include Women’s T20 cricket at Birmingham 2022.”

“Fast and exciting, the T20 format is the perfect fit for the Commonwealth Games and offers another chance to showcase women’s cricket on the global stage as part of our ambitious plans to accelerate the growth of the game, whilst inspiring the next generation of cricketers. All the players who are lucky enough to compete at Birmingham 2022 will be part of a truly memorable experience,” he added.

“There is still much to be done if cricket is to be included in the Olympics, with Los Angeles 2028 the earliest likely opportunity, and the ICC continuing to work internally to align cricket to pursue the sport’s Olympic ambitions,” a statement read.

“We don’t know what our status will be if we lose our autonomy. In the present situation, it is absolutely undesirable,” a BCCI member was quoted as saying by Times of India regarding the matter in 2017.

However, ICC has long argued over cricket’s inclusion in the Olympic event.

“We think cricket should be in the 2028 Olympics,” Richardson said. “But it’s not going to happen unless we are unified as a sport. At this stage, we need to convince the BCCI that it is a good thing for cricket to be in the Olympics from all aspects. It will generate more fans, growth. The game will get bigger. It won’t prejudice the value of our own events.”

Ian Higgins, ICC chief operating officer also said Richardson’s words.

“The reason why Japan has grown rapidly in hockey and won gold in Asian Games is that it’s an Olympic sport. Cricket is not an Olympic sport and hence they don’t have enough means to develop their game. It’s the same with China,” he told.

According to the global strategy survey by ICC, 87% of the people want to see the sport being played in the Olympics. However, it will help the new nations to get government funds to develop the game.