ICC’S bid to join Games programme

The International Cricket Council has submitted a bid for women’s Twenty20 to join the 2022 Commonwealth Games programme in Birmingham.

The bid proposes an eight-team event consisting of two pools and would see 16 matches played at two different venues.

ICC chief executive David Richardson said: “Cricket and the Commonwealth are inextricably linked with 910 million of cricket’s one billion-plus adult fans from Commonwealth countries.

“Creating a new partnership between women’s cricket and the Commonwealth Games demonstrates the commitment both organisations have to growing women’s sport.”

The bid has been made in partnership with the England and Wales Cricket Board, and was described by England captain Heather Knight as a “hugely exciting” move.