The prospect of a Great Britain (GB) cricket team—including players from England, Scotland, and potentially Northern Ireland—competing at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics is gaining traction. The England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) and Cricket Scotland are collaborating on this venture, aiming to revive cricket on the Olympic stage after its last appearance in Paris 1900.
A newly proposed entity, GB Cricket, is set to oversee both men’s and women’s teams. This entity will be governed by a board featuring executives from the ECB and Cricket Scotland. Meanwhile, an agreement is being arranged with Cricket Ireland to accommodate Northern Irish players, enhancing participation opportunities for Irish athletes.
The involvement of players from Northern Ireland presents a unique dynamic, given that Cricket Ireland represents both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Paul Stirling, Ireland’s captain in white-ball formats, along with players like Mark Adair and Andy McBrine, and women’s wicketkeeper Amy Hunter, could potentially participate in the Olympic competition.
In the coming months, GB Cricket is expected to gain formal recognition from the International Cricket Council (ICC) and the British Olympic Association (BOA) to become a full member of the National Olympic Committee. An ECB spokesperson mentioned that an agreement with the ICC is already underway.
The specifics of the qualification process have yet to be outlined for what will likely be a six-team tournament, but it is understood that England’s teams will spearhead qualification efforts for Team GB, with players from Scotland and Northern Ireland contributing thereafter.
This development comes as England’s new white-ball captain, Harry Brook, prepares to lead the team in an upcoming ODI against the West Indies at Edgbaston. Reflecting on the Olympic potential, Brook shared, “That would be pretty cool to be able to play in the Olympics and get an Olympic gold medal. But it’s so far away, it’s miles away yet. I haven’t even thought about that yet.”
As this initiative progresses, it promises to bolster cricket’s profile on an international stage, fostering collaboration across regions and offering athletes a platform to shine on a global scale.
