LOS ANGELES – Construction officially began on Wednesday on the new cricket venue for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, a development hailed as a major step in cricket's return to the Olympics after a 128-year absence. International Cricket Council (ICC) chairman Jay Shah participated in a groundbreaking ceremony at the Fairplex Grounds in Pomona, Los Angeles County, emphasizing the event's significance for the sport's worldwide growth.
"Our focus has been on expanding the footprint of cricket and being part of the Olympic movement is something that brings both pride and dreams with it," stated Shah. "The groundbreaking marks an important milestone in cricket's return to the Olympics and is a proud moment for all ICC members and stakeholders worldwide".
ICC chief executive Sanjog Gupta highlighted the Games as a pivotal opportunity to expand cricket's reach beyond its traditional strongholds. "The momentum for our game has never been stronger, with strong participation growth across the world," Gupta commented, adding that the inclusion of cricket at LA28 provides a platform to inspire more young people to take up the game and broaden the fan base across continents.
Cricket at the Los Angeles Games will feature T20 competitions for both men's and women's teams. This development comes as the ICC also considers expanding the World Test Championship to 12 teams from the 2027 cycle, potentially including Zimbabwe, Ireland, and Afghanistan. Discussions are also underway regarding the inclusion of one-off Test matches within the WTC framework, aiming to further engage more nations in red-ball cricket.
Meanwhile, Australian fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins have been cleared to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL) after recovering from injuries, with Starc set to join the Delhi Capitals and Cummins returning for the Sunrisers Hyderabad. In county cricket news, former Essex cricketer Doug Bracewell has received a two-year suspension for an Adverse Analytical Finding. Additionally, a new exhibition celebrating the impact of the South Asian community on British cricket has opened at the MCC Museum at Lord's Cricket Ground.