GB Cricket set to form ahead of Olympic return for sport at Los Angeles 2028

28 May 2025, 15:09

The formation of a British Olympic cricket team is moving ever closer, with administrators paving the way for an appearance at Los Angeles in 2028.

Cricket is making its return to the Olympic programme for the first time since a solitary appearance in 1900, with six-team T20 tournaments to be held in Pomona, California.

England's current world rankings - second in women's cricket and third in the men's game - are likely to secure a British presence in both competitions, but the precise qualification process has yet to announced.

Read More: Jos Buttler steps down as captain of England’s white-ball cricket team after Champions Trophy exit

Read More: 'A true torchbearer': Legendary Indian cricketer Virat Kohli retires ahead of England tour

England men's white-ball captain Harry Brook said: "That would be pretty cool to be able to play in the Olympics and get an Olympic gold medal. But it's so far away. It's miles away yet."

Kit McConnell, sports director for the International Olympic Committee, told the PA news agency this week that the Games' governing body was keen for "clarity" over how a Team GB spot would be utilised and those details are now starting to emerge.

A new entity called GB Cricket is being founded, with moves afoot to have it recognised formally by both the International Cricket Council and British Olympic Association.

A board featuring representatives from the England and Wales Cricket Board and Cricket Scotland will oversee the body.

Players from both the England and Scotland teams will be eligible for selection, rather than a fully English team taking up the spot, and there is also an expectation that Northern Irish players will have a route.

Although an all-Ireland team operates under the ICC's jurisdiction, a memorandum of understanding is being worked on with Cricket Ireland that would allow Belfast-born players such as Paul Stirling and Mark Adair to come under consideration.