Game on, say stars

CRICKET’S most powerful group of ex-players have urged Indian authorities to get behind the sport’s push for the Olympics or let the game suffer.

The introduction of Twenty20 cricket to the Olympics formed a key part of MCC World Cricket committee meetings held in Sydney, with past players keen to push for the sport’s involvement.

Administrators have all but given up hope of gaining entry into the 2024 Paris Games and have now turned their attention to Los Angeles in 2028.

Their biggest stumbling block is the Board of Cricket Control for India, which they believe faces issues with its own Olympic committee.

“It’s one of those things that has frustrated me,” committee chairman Mike Gatting said.

“We would like to urge the BCCI to have a look at it again and support the main body of boards that would like to get into the Olympics as soon as possible.

“It seems strange that everyone else seems happy to get in there because it’s just going to be so good for the game.

“Free-to-air TV all over the world. It’s only once every four years. It’s not going to be a scheduling matter.”