Cricket at the Commonwealth Games — History, Format & Why It Disappeared
Cricket appeared at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games for the first time since 1998. Learn which format was used, which nations competed, why cricket left the Games in the first place, and what 2022's return meant for the sport's Olympic ambitions.
Cricket was included in the Commonwealth Games for the first time since the 1998 Kuala Lumpur Games when the sport returned at Birmingham 2022 — this time in women's T20 format. The 2022 women's T20 tournament at Edgbaston brought together eight national teams and was won by Australia, continuing their dominance of women's white-ball cricket. The return of cricket to the Games also reignited discussion about the sport's long-term aspirations for Olympic inclusion.
Cricket at the 1998 Commonwealth Games
Cricket had previously appeared at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in a 50-over ODI format for men's teams. Nine countries participated: South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Kenya, and Canada. South Africa won the gold medal, defeating Australia in the final by 4 wickets. The tournament attracted little global interest compared to the bilateral calendar and was not retained in subsequent Games editions.
Why cricket left the Commonwealth Games
The primary reason was the BCCI's resistance. India's cricket board, the world's most powerful cricket organisation, did not see the Commonwealth Games as a priority and was reluctant to release players for a multi-sport event that fell outside the standard international cricket calendar. Without India's participation in men's cricket, the tournament lacked the commercial and audience pull to justify inclusion. Other ICC Full Members were similarly cautious about releasing players during what might be a busy bilateral schedule period.
The 2022 Birmingham return and women's cricket
By 2022, women's cricket had grown sufficiently in profile and commercial value that its inclusion made strong sense. The women's T20 format was chosen for its compressed schedule (fitting within a multi-sport event's limited days), and eight teams — Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Barbados — participated at Edgbaston. The format was a round-robin followed by semifinals and a final. Crowds at Edgbaston were strong, and the tournament was broadcast globally, proving that women's cricket could sustain a high-profile multi-sport event slot.
Cricket and Olympic inclusion
The ICC has long sought Olympic inclusion for cricket, and the 2022 Commonwealth Games participation was viewed partly as a step toward demonstrating the sport's viability in a multi-sport context. Cricket was proposed for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games as part of the IOC's new 'breakout sport' provisional category, alongside baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse, and squash. If confirmed, cricket at the 2028 Olympics would be in T20 format for both men's and women's competitions, representing the sport's Olympic debut.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the cricket gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games?
Australia won the gold medal in the women's T20 tournament at Birmingham 2022, defeating India in the final by 9 runs. It was a fitting result given Australia's sustained dominance of women's T20 cricket — they had also won multiple ICC Women's T20 World Cup titles in the surrounding years.
Will cricket be at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow?
As of 2026, cricket's inclusion at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Australia has not been confirmed in the same form as Birmingham. The Commonwealth Games format has faced funding and logistical challenges, and the sports programme may differ from 2022. The ICC continues to advocate for cricket's inclusion at multi-sport events.
Why is T20 used rather than Test cricket for multi-sport events?
A Test match lasts up to 5 days — far too long to fit within a multi-sport event's schedule, where an entire cricket tournament must complete within 8–10 days. ODIs (50 overs per side) take a full day each; T20s take under 4 hours. Only the T20 format can be compressed into a tournament structure compatible with the Olympic or Commonwealth Games calendar.