Du Plessis backs T10 to be played at the Olympics as ICC plot cricket’s return

Ex-South Africa skipper Faf du Plessis believes that T10 would be the perfect format to reintroduce cricket to the Olympics

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Former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis believes T10 cricket should be played in the Olympics, with the ICC hoping the sport will be included at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.

Cricket has only ever been played at the Olympics once back in 1900 in Paris, where Great Britain beat France by 158 runs in the only match.

The ICC unveiled their plans for the sport to make a return to the Olympics back in August and Du Plessis believes that cricket’s shortest format would be a perfect fit for the Games and help attract new fans.

Du Plessis, who is set to feature in the latest edition of the Abu Dhabi T10 League for Bangla Tigers, said: “I have played three formats for a long time and I am still attracted to the T10 format.

“I think players like myself will keep looking at tournaments like this. The future of T10 is looking good.

“It’s a format that can be used in the Olympics. The quick nature of T10 also makes it attractive to the fans. I think T10 is only going to get better and better.”

ICC chair Greg Barclay believes the sport would be “a great addition to the Olympic Games”.

He said: “We have more than a billion fans globally and almost 90 per cent of them want to see cricket at the Olympics.

“Clearly cricket has a strong and passionate fanbase, particularly in South Asia where 92% of our fans come from, whilst there are also 30 million cricket fans in the USA.

“The opportunity for those fans to see their heroes competing for an Olympic medal is tantalising.

“We believe cricket would be a great addition to the Olympic Games, but we know it won’t be easy to secure our inclusion as there are so many other great sports out there wanting to do the same.

“But we feel now is the time to put our best foot forward and show what a great partnership cricket and the Olympics are.”