Owzat! We need cricket to be part of 2022 Games

BIRMINGHAM’S Commonwealth Games bosses have not ruled out bringing cricket to the 2022 event – even though it is not included in their final bid.

Despite being a hugely popular sport across the Commonwealth, there are currently no plans to host T20 cricket at the Games.

There are huge numbers of English, Indian, Pakistani, West Indian and Bangladeshi fans living in Birmingham who would flock to Edgbaston and cheer on their teams.

The 2022 Commonwealth Games would be worth £1.1 billion to the UK economy, with half of the windfall invested in the West Midlands. Details were revealed as Birmingham City Council agreed its final bid details, which are expected to unlock talks and mean Birmingham is appointed host city in coming days.

But the city has been unable to secure support from the cricket authorities to stage a T20 competition at the world-famous Edgbaston Stadium.

Discussing the city’s bid, Birmingham Conservative leader Robert Alden said: “Cricket is the sport of the Commonwealth. It would be far- cical if the Birmingham Games, with all the Commonwealth countries represented, with all the cricket fans we have, does not have cricket.

“Edgbaston is possibly the only major venue in the world which can sell out a cricket match not featuring the home nation. We need to get the lobbying started.”

Labour council leader Ian Ward replied that he, too, would like to see a cricket tournament included – but so far it has not been possible.

He explained that they would have to host both women’s and men’s T20 cricket but there are problems convincing the cricket authorities to allow the men to compete.

“As we began assembling the bid what became apparent was that world cricket’s governing body, the ICC, was reluctant because India is very protective of its Indian Premier League competition and do not want anything which might compete with that,” he explained.

“As well, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) is developing a new T20 competition which will be launched in 2020, and they are also very nervous about a competing competition in summer 2022.

“Nevertheless we have continued to talk to the ECB and ICC.”