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ICC looking for cricket's entry at the Olympics

Dubai - Governing body considering use of pink balls in Tests

"Cricket might want to be a part of the Olympics but the Olympics might not want cricket," was the message from International Cricket Council's chief executive Dave Richardson even as the governing body is exploring possibilities of the game's inclusion in the mega event.
A meeting has been scheduled next month between the ICC and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Richardson says it would be 'exploratory in nature'.
"We are still trying to finalise a date but the invitation has come from IOC," Richardson confirmed while addressing the media at the ICC headquarters on Tuesday. "Multisport federations like the Commonwealth Games (CG) and the Olympics have expressed an interest in cricket being part of those Games.
"The Olympics is not as nearly advanced in their discussions with us in that regard (as the Commonwealth Games' proposal to have cricket in the 2022 event in Durban, South Africa) and CG certainly are more open to, not necessarily to Twenty20 cricket or one of the established formats, but they want to discuss other things like double wicket or mixed teams."
There was a word of caution though from Richardson. "Bear in mind it's not just what cricket wants, cricket might want to be part of the Olympics but the Olympics might not want cricket."
Initially the idea of including T20 in Olympics was resisted by India and England who did not want their matches affected in the time slots when the Games are held. The Commonwealth Games have included cricket only once, in 1998 in Malaysia.
Richardson said the Paralympics could also be an option for the game. Meanwhile, the governing body said it was considering the use of pink balls in Test matches to avoid the scenario that arose in the first match between Pakistan and England in Abu Dhabi which ended in a draw last week. England were denied a dramatic win on the fifth and final day on Saturday, falling short by 25 runs in chasing 99 when umpires called off play eight overs earlier due to bad light. Richardson admitted the issue of playing in bad light was still unresolved.
"There is no doubt that this is one of those issues that cricket is faced with historically and we have not found a solution to it," Richardson said. "We are pinning some hopes on developing a different colour ball, pink ball at this stage, if we could use that for the day/night Test cricket and if it stays in a decent enough condition."
Australia and New Zealand will play with a pink ball in the first-ever day-night Test in Adelaide next month.
clareto@khaleejtimes.com

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The Commonwealth Games have included cricket only once, in 1998 in Malaysia