Knight Game for action in Birmingham

HEATHER Knight admits England’s Twenty20 focus has already turned to the Commonwealth Games, a tournament she hopes will push cricket towards being an Olympic sport again.

England start their three-match T20 programme with South Africa in Chelmsford today holding an 8-2 lead in the multi-format series.

Knight’s side won the one-day matches 3-0 and South Africa can only level the series by producing their own T20 whitewash.

Women’s cricket will be involved at the Commonwealth Games for the first time at Birmingham, the tournament due to get under way on July 29 – and Knight believes it is a “gamechanger.”

She said: “It is a chance for us as a sport to reach people we haven’t reached before. A huge stage to show what we can do.

“The platform to reach so many people is there, so our job is to be successful and show the skills we have.

“It’s massive how much women’s cricket has changed and this could be another gamechanger.”

A men’s cricket competition was held at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, South Africa beating Australia in the final.

The only Olympic cricket competition was at Paris 1900 when only two countries took part and Great Britain overcame hosts France to win gold.

Asked if cricket could become part of the Olympics, Knight added: “Potentially. Long after I’ve retired it might well happen.

“I think T20 would be the format, like it is in the Commonwealths, and the conversation would have to be had about schedules.

“There’s a lot in the schedule and something would have to give to get it in there. The balance needs to be found and the women’s game does allow for that.

“I see no reason why it can’t happen, especially for it to open up a different audience for cricket.”

England have named the same 15-player squad for the South Africa series and the Games, Knight admitting the thought of playing at a multi-games event has given her “goosebumps.”

“It is something completely different,” said Knight, who wants to attend athletics’ 100 metres finals or cycling’s road races in Birmingham if her schedule allows.

She went on: “To see pictures of outstanding athletes who have competed for Team England really got the goosebumps going when we went to be kitted out.

“It made the girls realise how different it was going to be and excited for what’s to come.”