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The Australian men\u2019s cricket team could be sidelined from the game\u2019s historic return as an Olympic sport unless the side maintains a top five Twenty20 world ranking.<\/p>\n
Cricket\u2019s confirmation as one of several new sports at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics \u2013 alongside lacrosse, baseball, softball, squash and flag football \u2013 will feature six nations competing in separate men\u2019s and women\u2019s T20 competitions.<\/p>\n
The lure of competing for a gold medal is a potential fillip for the international game, which is battling cashed-up T20 franchises and leagues bidding for players\u2019 services.<\/p>\n
A six-team format means a handful of top-tier nations will miss out on the sport\u2019s first Olympic outing since 1900, with the International Cricket Council (ICC) previously proposing that qualification is based on T20 world rankings.<\/p>\n
A decision on the qualifying process, and whether the lowly ranked USA would be granted a men\u2019s and women\u2019s slot as host nation, is not expected until 2025.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s women have long dominated the T20 format as three-time reigning World Cup champions and the No.1 ranked side, but the men\u2019s outfit is ranked fifth in the world.<\/p>\n
Australia\u2019s men slipped as low as seventh in the rankings before their shock 2021 World Cup win in the UAE, and failed to progress from the group stage during last year\u2019s tournament on home soil.<\/p>\n
Cricket Australia CEO Nick Hockley said the prospect of Olympic berths being decided by ICC rankings would likely mean a rise in prominence for the bilateral series that dictates them, and countries pushing for their best players to play international T20s.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were very disappointed not to go further in 2022,\u201d Hockley said of Australia\u2019s most recent T20 World Cup campaign.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf anything, I think you are seeing a trend towards more format specialisation \u2026 The challenge going forward is how do we make sure that we\u2019re successful [in each format].<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re very fortunate that we\u2019re also co-hosting the men\u2019s T20 World Cup [in October 2028]. As we\u2019ve seen in the build-up to this 50-over World Cup, there\u2019s a real focus on one-day cricket.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn the build-up to 2028, I think you\u2019ll see a real focus from all the members, not just us, on the T20 format.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe T20 World Cup, with the expansion now from 16 teams to 20 teams, is an opportunity for all of the cricketing countries to be able to compete.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat the Olympics provides in 2028, and hopefully ongoing beyond that, is an even further pinnacle for the top six teams.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Pat Cummins during last year\u2019s T20 World Cup in Australia.<\/span>Credit: <\/span>Getty<\/cite><\/p>\n Lucrative broadcast rights deals from the subcontinent have been a key driver in cricket\u2019s Olympics return. It is also expected to feature at the 2032 Brisbane Games.<\/p>\n Hockley described the US market as \u201cunder-serviced in terms of cricket\u201d but money is flowing into the game Stateside following the success of the six-team, Major League Cricket T20 tournament launch in July.<\/p>\n Aaron Finch, Moises Henriques and Faf du Plessis were among the captains for franchises that included New York, Dallas, San Francisco and Los Angeles. They are backed with millions of dollars from IPL owners and celebrities.<\/p>\n The US will co-host next year\u2019s T20 World Cup alongside the West Indies, with games to be played in Texas, Florida and Long Island.<\/p>\n T20\u2019s Olympics addition puts further pressure on the 50-over format, given an already crowded international calendar and the proliferation of domestic leagues around the world.<\/p>\n Asked if the chance to compete at an Olympics could stop players deserting the international game, Hockley said: \u201cAbsolutely, it\u2019s another opportunity to represent your country on the world stage.<\/p>\n \u201cThe next exciting thing for cricket is that there\u2019s more money and there\u2019s more investment coming into the game.<\/p>\n \u201cOur recent MOU with the players really sought to address a couple of things; one to make sure that our CA-contracted players remain among the best-paid team-sports people in Australia, so they continue to prioritise playing for Australia.\u201d<\/p>\n Sports news, results and expert commentary. <\/i><\/b>Sign up for our Sport newsletter<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\nMost Viewed in Sport<\/h2>\n
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