Following the success of the Women’s World Cup, the ICC are going to push for cricket to be involved at the 2024 Olympics.

The recently-concluded Women’s World Cup, which was won by England in dramatic fashion over India at Lord’s on Sunday in front of a capacity crowd, was watched by millions worldwide. It’s believed that the success of the tournament has edged cricket closer to Olympic reckoning.

The desire from the ICC to push cricket as an Olympic sport has been something CEO Dave Richardson has advocated for some time now. Back in March, the former South African wicketkeeper said that a decision needed to be made in July as to whether to apply, and that time has now come.

‘We need to make a decision by July this year so that we can submit an application in September,’ Richardson told reporters back then.

‘And of course it’s not what cricket wants, it’s whether the IOC wants us.’

The IOC have suggested that sports included in the 2024 games, set to be in Paris, will also feature in 2028, forecasted to be in Los Angeles, which means the ICC need to make a long-term commitment in ensuring that cricket, in which the format will be T20, will be a sustainable Olympic sport.

The France Olympic Committee is understood to be in support of cricket featuring in the games, and it’s in Paris where cricket made its only Olympic appearance to date, in 1900.

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