Joe Root Keen To See Cricket As Part Of The Olympic Sport

England Test captain Joe Root has batted for cricket to be part of the Olympics soon enough. Since the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, several men from the cricketing fraternity have called for cricket’s inclusion in the global event. England’s star batsman and their longest format captain Joe Root has joined the bandwagon, saying it would be great to witness it.

The ICC has been pushing to get cricket the status of an Olympic for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles and several cricketers have backed the move. Recently, star Australia batsman Steve Smith also wished to see cricket feature in the Olympics. The seasoned Test batsman believes T10 could be part of it as it is a condensed format; hence, it would be good to see.

Additionally, former Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene opined that the new format of The Hundred could be part of the Olympics. Jayawardene revealed that the T20 and T10 version remains under discussion and feels The Hundred could join it too. He thinks that the version is a compact one and could end in a couple of hours. Thus, cricket could be part of the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles or the 2032 edition in Brisbane.

It will be great to see cricket as an Olympic sport: Joe Root

Meanwhile, Joe Root stated he thinks it would be great to see cricket as an Olympic sport and feels the sport can grow by leaps and bounds. The 30-year old conceded that The Hundred tournament could be a part of it, enabling cricket to penetrate it to other countries.

“I think it’s great. We constantly talk about how we can grow the game. It will be great to see cricket as an Olympic sport. The Hundred seems to fit the bill, doesn’t it? It will be great to get cricket on that stage and get a reach out to other countries and what an opportunity it would be,” Root told the reporters ahead of the second Test against India.

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