Cricket in line for Comm Games return

The Southern Stars could be competing for gold in 2022 after the International Cricket Council announced it would apply to have women’s cricket played at the Commonwealth Games.

The ICC hopes women’s cricket will be included for the 2022 edition of the Games, which will be held in Durban, South Africa.

The game's governing body didn’t specify whether its plans included Twenty20 or one-day cricket, but it is likely the battle for Commonwealth gold would be fought over 20 overs, given the shortest format of the game is seen as the key to growing women’s cricket.

Women's World T20 tournaments are held every two years - with the 2022 edition also scheduled to be held in South Africa - while the Women's Big Bash League proved a huge hit in Australia last summer and England's inaugural Women's Super League will begin later this month.

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"The Board has taken a strategic decision to support the inclusion of women’s cricket in the 2022 Commonwealth Games as it will enhance the profile of the sport and create additional exposure and experiences for female cricketers, as well as opportunities to engage with the Commonwealth Games on important social justice issues and initiatives," ICC chairman Shashank Manohar said.

Former Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars spinner Lisa Sthalekar welcomed the announcement on social media.

Cricket was last part of the Commonwealth Games in 1998 in Malaysia, when the men’s event was won by South Africa, who defeated Australia in the final.

Matches were played over 50 overs, with 16 teams entered including seven of the nine Test nations at the time.

Australia fielded a strong team led by Steve Waugh alongside brother Mark, Adam Gilchrist, Ricky Ponting, Damien Fleming and Darren Lehmann, while the Caribbean islands competed as separate nations and England opted not to send a team at all.

The ICC has also confirmed discussions also take place later in the year on cricket's potential participation at the Olympic Games.

On Saturday, the president of the Italian cricket board revealed cricket could be included in the 2024 Olympic Games if Rome wins the hosting rights.

Rome, Paris, Los Angeles and Budapest are bidding to host the Games and, under new regulations, the local organising committee has the opportunity to add five sports to the schedule at its own discretion.

"If Rome hosts the Olympics, cricket will be included," Simone Gambino, president of the Federazione Cricket Italiana (FCI), told ESPN.

"We have had a firm commitment from the organising committee."

The French cricket board is understood to hold similar hopes should Paris be successful.

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If Rome does host the Games, cricket could be played in Bologna, which has previously hosted World Cricket League Division Four matches.

Earlier this year, the International Olympic Council opened up the opportunity for the host city to suggest sports for admission to the program.

The 2020 Olympics, to be held in Tokyo, recently nominated karate, skateboarding, sports climbing, surfing and baseball/softball for inclusion.

Future Games would not necessarily have to include the same five sports which had been selected by the previous host city.

Cricket has not been played at the Olympics since 1900.