- Cricket returns to Olympic Games in 2028 after 128 years.
- Ricky Ponting is excited about cricket's Olympic inclusion.
- Ponting considers being a mentor for Australian Olympic cricket team.
Cricket will make its Olympic comeback after a 128-year absence, last featured in the 1900 Games.
Cricket was one of five additional sports proposed by the LA28 Organising Committee, alongside baseball-softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) officially confirmed cricket's inclusion during the 141st IOC Session held in Mumbai in October 2023.
Speaking on The ICC Review, Ponting shared his excitement about cricket's return to the Olympics and the opportunity to introduce the sport to new global audiences.
"It can only be a positive thing for our game," Ponting said.
"I've sat on various committees over the last 15 or 20 years, and it's always been at the top of almost every agenda—how do we get the game back into the Olympics? And finally, it's there.
"It's only four years away. Once again, in the US by that stage, hopefully, with MLC (Major League Cricket), another four years down the track hopefully growing. Who knows, there might even be more teams in the MLC by then. I think it also gives cricket a chance to break into the grassroots level in the US. But the thing about the Olympic Games is, it's not just about the host nation; it's about the audience it opens up.
"The Olympic Games being viewed by so many people all around the world just opens up completely different audiences to our game that's seemingly growing on a daily basis anyway. It can only be a real positive thing for the game.
"Facilities and infrastructure are going to be key, and how many teams they actually decide on. I think it's only six or seven teams that they're talking about. So, qualification is going to be at a premium—how you actually qualify to get into the Olympic Games.
"So, all those things to think about. I'm really excited about where the game's headed and the growth of different markets that we're seeing emerge."
Ponting also shared his thoughts on whether he would like to serve as a mentor or coach for the Australian cricket team at the 2028 Olympics.
"It'd be a pretty nice job, I reckon, to be a mentor around a cricket team in the Olympic Games, to hang out," Ponting said. "I was lucky enough to play in the Commonwealth Games, and just being around the athletes in the villages was quite a surreal environment for a cricketer.
"So, look, I wouldn't say no, but I think there'll be a lot of people putting their hands up to try and be a mentor or a coach for an Aussie team in the Olympic Games.
"It'd be special to be a part of, so who knows? I'll keep my fingers crossed and see what happens."
Ponting has recently spent several months in the USA, the host nation for the 2028 Olympics.
He first served as a commentator for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024 and later took on the role of head coach for the Washington Freedom, who won the Major League Cricket title in the most recent edition.
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