The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Scotland have initiated discussions about forming Great Britain (GB) men’s and women’s teams for the upcoming 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. This marks the first time cricket will return to the Olympic stage since 1900, following a decision made last year to reintroduce the sport. Although the specifics of the event are yet to be confirmed, the International Cricket Council (ICC) has proposed a six-team tournament for both categories, with matches likely scheduled consecutively over a week.
“With the Los Angeles Olympics four years away, it’s still very early days, but we’re in talks with Team GB and Cricket Scotland about the next steps. Once again, Great Britain’s Olympians have captured the national imagination with their exploits in Paris this year, and we look forward to working together to compete when cricket returns to the Olympic stage in 2028,” an ECB spokesperson told ESPNcricinfo.
Additionally, Andy Anson, Chief Executive of the British Olympic Association, said that nations like England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland typically unite under one country’s banner, with the other nations providing support.
“We’ve gained valuable experience from golf, rugby, and women’s football in how the Four Nations [England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland] can come together to nominate one country as the main governing body, working collaboratively with the others. I believe cricket will follow a similar path,” said Anson.
“The ECB will play a central role in this process, working closely with Cricket Scotland to ensure everything is properly coordinated. We will assist them in signing agreements to unite and create a single national governing body, just as we have done in other sports. We’re working very closely with the ECB to help them become a fully-fledged National Olympic Committee member,” Anson added.
Team GB officially represents the Great Britain and Northern Ireland Olympic Team. Athletes from these countries can choose which nation to compete for. However, cricket operates on an all-Ireland basis, making it unlikely that players like Mark Adair and Paul Stirling would represent Team GB.
The venues for cricket matches in the Los Angeles Olympics have yet to be finalized. Los Angeles Knight Riders and Major League Cricket are considering constructing a new stadium in Great Park, Irvine, while the Oakland Coliseum is also being considered as an option.