Cricket at the Commonwealth Games — History, Format, and Future
The story of cricket at the Commonwealth Games: from the 1998 Kuala Lumpur edition to the 2022 Birmingham T20 women's tournament, and the sport's uncertain future in the Games.
Cricket has appeared at the Commonwealth Games on only two occasions — 1998 in Kuala Lumpur (men's cricket) and 2022 in Birmingham (women's T20 cricket). The sport's relationship with the multi-sport event is complex: cricket's global commercial and broadcast power sits uneasily within the Commonwealth Games structure, and the ICC's calendar commitments make scheduling difficult.
1998 Commonwealth Games — Cricket Returns to Multi-Sport Events
The 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, featured men's cricket for the first — and so far only — time. Eight national teams competed in a 50-over format. South Africa won the gold medal, defeating Australia in the final. Kenya and Sri Lanka also participated. The event used drop-in pitches at the National Sports Complex in Bukit Jalil.
2022 Commonwealth Games — Women's T20
Women's T20 cricket was included at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games — a landmark moment for the women's game. Eight teams competed: Australia, India, England, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Barbados, and Sri Lanka. The final, played at Edgbaston, saw Australia beat India by 9 runs in a close, high-quality match watched by a sell-out crowd. The event was widely considered one of the most successful multi-sport cricket events in history.
Why Cricket Is Rarely at the Commonwealth Games
- Calendar conflict: the ICC's packed international schedule makes it difficult for Full Member boards to release players for Commonwealth Games
- India's absence: India typically does not send a national team to Commonwealth Games for cricket, as BCCI is not affiliated to the Indian Olympic Association for cricket purposes
- ICC structure: cricket is governed by the ICC, not the IOC, creating coordination challenges
- Full members vs associates: the Commonwealth Games formula requires nations to participate under their national flag, which creates issues with the West Indies (a multi-nation cricket board)
The Future of Cricket at the Games
The ICC has been pushing for cricket's inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics — a T20 format for men and women. Whether cricket appears at future Commonwealth Games depends on calendar negotiations, board cooperation, and host city willingness to include cricket. The 2022 experience with women's cricket was positive enough to give advocates a strong case.
Frequently asked questions
Has cricket been at the Commonwealth Games?
Yes. Men's cricket was included at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games (South Africa won gold). Women's T20 cricket was included at the 2022 Birmingham Games (Australia won gold).
Who won cricket at the 2022 Commonwealth Games?
Australia won the gold medal at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games Women's T20 cricket tournament, beating India by 9 runs in the final at Edgbaston.
Will cricket be at the 2026 Commonwealth Games?
The 2026 Commonwealth Games is due to be held in Victoria, Australia. Cricket's inclusion has been discussed but not confirmed as of mid-2026.