Ricky Ponting Lauds Cricket's Olympic Return

Ricky Ponting, former Australian cricket captain, applauds cricket's return to the Olympics, set for Los Angeles in 2028. He believes this will positively impact the game by introducing it to a broader audience. Ponting stresses the importance of facilities and qualifications for the event's success.

Ricky Ponting, the former World Cup-winning Australian cricket captain, has hailed cricket's return to the Olympics in the upcoming Los Angeles edition in 2028 as a significant boost for the sport.

The 2028 Games in Los Angeles will mark cricket's comeback to the Olympic stage after a 128-year hiatus, last featuring in 1900 when Great Britain won gold against France.

"It can only be a positive thing for our game," Ponting said. "I've served on several committees over the past couple of decades, and getting cricket into the Olympics has always been a top priority. Now it's finally happening." Ponting highlighted that the Olympics could help cricket reach grassroots levels in the USA. He emphasized that the global audience of the Olympic Games opens new opportunities for the sport.

Ponting also evaluated that the Olympics, followed by billions, offers cricket a chance to gain new fans and firmly establish itself on the international stage. However, he noted the need for high-quality facilities and clear qualification criteria, referencing subpar pitches during the recent T20 World Cup in the US.

"Facilities and infrastructure will be crucial, and the number of participating teams is still under discussion," Ponting added. Currently without a coaching role, Ponting expressed his enthusiasm for possibly mentoring the Australian team at the LA Games, recalling his experience at the 1998 Commonwealth Games as surreal for cricketers.