Once all but confirmed to play the LA 2028 Olympics cricket, Australia are now doubtful as the sport makes its comeback after 128 years. The last time cricket was in the Olympics, it was in the 1900 Paris Games. With an ICC ranking of 3 before the T20 World Cup, Australia were all but destined to represent the Oceania continent. But after their group stage exit from the T20 World Cup 2026, it is now doubtful.
The six-team event is likely to have one team each from five continents, except the hosts USA. If the ICC were to consider T20I ranking as the qualification factor, Australia would have trumped New Zealand. But following their defeats to Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka, Australia are set to drop down in the ICC T20I rankings. New Zealand, on the other hand, will remain in Top 5 having qualified for T20 World Cup Super 8 stage.
Australia’s LA28 Olympics participation in jeopardy
With the Olympic Games’ apex body still to confirm on the qualifying clauses, recent performance and slide in the ICC rankings have further put Australia’s participation in the quadrennial games in doubt. With only six teams finding a spot in the Games, including USA as the host, this could be a big setback as they would have to maintain their place in the top five for the same.
Australia will play 13 T20Is in 2026, against Bangladesh, Afghanistan, and England till March 2027. Considering Australia’s injury troubles, form of players and focus on Test and ODI cricket in the next cycle, Mitchell Marsh & Co will be in a precarious situation. New Zealand will have easier T20I games in the next cycle.
LA 2028 Olympics Cricket qualification criteria explained
Despite demands for a separate LA2028 Olympics cricket qualification tournament, the ICC may overlook that due to a lack of space in the calendar. As the Future Tours program already decided until 2027, there won’t be any space. Hence, the ICC is looking to approve a continental qualification system to decide the six participating teams, which will allow only one team from each continent. If it so happens, then the Full Members such as Pakistan, New Zealand and Sri Lanka, among others, could miss out on a spot.
There have also been discussions regarding team rankings based on T20 World Cup 2026. And if teh ICC consider that, Australia will certainly miss out.
Moreover, each of the six teams has been told to name a 15-member squad, allocating only 90 athlete quotas for each category. The cricket matches at the 2028 Olympic Games will be played from July 14 to 29 at a temporarily built venue at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, California.
Proposed LA 2028 Olympics Cricket format
- Six teams are split into two groups of three
- Each team plays the other two teams in their group once.
- Each team then plays two teams from the other group, excluding the team in the same ranking position (e.g., Group A’s 1st plays Group B’s 2nd and 3rd).
- Results from all four matches per team determine final rankings.
- Top two teams compete in a final for gold and silver medals.
- Third and fourth-placed teams play for the bronze medal.
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