Here's a quote I saw on Cricinfo. It's John Buchanan, Australia's former coach, reacting to the review/referral system:

"Cricket ought to initially clean its own backyard and then strive to secure a place in the Olympics. I consider it miserable that the decisions of the authorities are questioned. I'm totally against the referral system and Twenty20 cannot be a part of the Olympics as the referral system is against the spirit of the Games."

Wow! Questioning the decisions of the authorities is "miserable"??? Which ex-Soviet state did he grow up in? (The rest of his statement is equally bizarre, and I'll leave discussion on that for another time).

Cricket fans have had just about enough of the horrible decisions (intentional or not) by the so-called "elite" umpires, as well as seeing the culprits not taken to task for their failures. So they have put enough pressure that a system is finally in place to provide reasonable correction. It has its quirks but, just like with everything else, those will smooth out over time and increased usage.

So Mr. Buchanan, stop acting like a Communist Dictator and embrace the democratic movement of cricket fans worldwide. If you are afraid that Australia will suffer since less-than-honest Australian fielders and umpire bias (in favour of Australia) and will be exposed by the system, don't be. Australia is still an awesome and unparalleled team, even without those advantages they have enjoyed for quite some time.

Usain Bolt, the Jamaican track phenom, loves cricket, Australia, and Matthew Hayden:

"I can't wait to come to Australia and I'm trying to find a way to get down there because it sounds great and you're fun people," Bolt said.

"And one of my favourite cricketers in the world is from your way. I am a huge fan of Matty Hayden and he's a cool customer out in the middle and I like his style."
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Bolt is a cricket fanatic and played the sport as a teenager in the cricket loving Caribbean island.

Hayden has never met the dual gold medallist and was flattered his name was mentioned just moments after Bolt broke Michael Johnson's 12-year-old world record in the 200m..

"Just to see him dance and carry on is truly inspirational and for him to have me in his mind is just so humbling," Hayden told Channel 7.
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Hayden intends sending Bolt a signed cricket bat and wants to meet the Jamaican speed machine when he visits Australia. [LINK]

Also, running was not Bolt's first passion. Perhaps Windies cricket has lost a potential superstar. Although, a fast runup doesn't necessarily equate to a great bowler:

But Bolt wasn't always set to be a sprinter. Cricket was his first love. He stood out as a fast bowler playing for William Knibb High School in Trelawny, and only ditched his cricket whites when his coach, seeing how fast he could run, suggested he have a go at athletics. [LINK]

And a message to the Jacques Rogge and the IOC - STFU!!! Let Usain celebrate - everyone loves it, save some out-of-touch stuckup suits whose goal is to take the fun out of everything (shades of ICC, huh?). If you have any balls, bring up the issue of 12 and 13 year olds playing for China. Then I'll give you some credibility around sportsmanship. He's 21 years old, he's done something no one has ever done before, and he hasn't disrespected anyone. Sure he could be more gracious (as could anyone). But for the IOC's head to single him out, that's just pathetic!

Usain...ignore the IOC! With all due respect to 10CC and their song Dreadlock Holiday, I think the entire world will agree with me if I add this line to the song...

"I say we don't like Lightning...oh no...we love him!!!"

This could be the ultimate destiny - Twenty20 cricket in the 2020 Olympics:

Steve Waugh, who led Australia to a Commonwealth Games silver medal, is part of a growing group of current and former players who have supported Adam Gilchrist's push for Twenty20 to be part of the 2020 Olympics. Gilchrist raised the idea on Monday and since then a series of big names, including Sourav Ganguly and Stephen Fleming, have climbed on board. [LINK]

Per the article, cricket has been given "recognition status" by the IOC, but it competes with lots of other sports for inclusion in the games.

Had Twenty20 been a recognized success several years earlier, I think the London 2012 committee would have worked to include it in their Olympic bid (although demonstration sports are no longer encouraged by the IOC). I am quite surprised though that India has not included cricket in the 2010 Commonwealth Games, especially since Malaysia included in the 1998 Commonwealth games.


For those who may not know, cricket has made an appearance in the Olympics once - back in the 1900 Olympics in Paris. Well, it was really just one match between British and French club sides. The entire 1900 Olympics were a bit weird though - they lasted several months, were combined with the Paris Expo, and many players (across all sports) had no idea that they were participating in the Olympics.

For more on cricket's brief appearance in Olympics, click here and here.

Getting back on topic, I think cricket would be great for the Olympics, Commonwealth, and even Asian Games. If kabaddi can be a sport at the Asian Games since 1990, I'm sure cricket can stake a claim too. Of course, the logistics would be a tad more complicated than kabaddi, but I'm sure something can be figured out!

Cricket at any organized games would become another major trophy for teams to vie for, and there will be interest from non-traditional spectators as well (if people can watch synchronized swimming without shooting themselves, they'll watch anything!). Let's see how strong the Twenty20 lobby becomes, and what they can do to convince Jacques Rogge and his crew that Twenty20 cricket needs to become an integral part of the Olympics. I foresee it happening.

Alright...all together now..."Twenty20 for 2020!"