Former Australian World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh has tipped an unlikely contender to challenge for gold when cricket makes its historic return to the Olympics in Los Angeles 2028.
While powerhouses like India, Australia, and England are expected to dominate, Waugh has pointed to China as a serious dark horse, already laying the groundwork for a potential upset in the T20 format on the global stage.
Cricket’s reappearance at the Olympics, after a 128-year absence since its sole outing in 1900, has sparked global excitement. The sport’s inclusion in the LA 2028 roster, confirmed in October 2023, will see six-team T20 tournaments for both men’s and women’s events, hosted at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California.
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With only 90 athlete quotas allocated per event, competition will be fierce, and Waugh believes China is poised to make a bold statement.
Speaking at an exclusive event at The Taj, St. James Court, Waugh said:
"As soon as cricket’s inclusion in the Olympics was announced, China started building a team. They are serious about winning gold."
Also read: ICC Confirm Cricket’s Olympic Comeback in 2028 with California Stadium as Host
Waugh further emphasized the meteoric rise of T20, calling it a "billion-dollar industry" that will dominate the sport’s future.
"T20 is massive now. It's billions of dollars, and it's growing every day. Test cricket will survive, but T20 will dominate. Players will soon be contracted mainly to franchises. Test matches might even need special permissions," Waugh added.
China’s History in Cricket
China’s cricketing journey is still in its infancy. The sport has seen slow but steady growth. China made their international debut at the 2009 ACC Trophy Challenge and played their first T20 International in July 2023 against Malaysia during the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup Asia Qualifier. They have won just two out of 11 T20Is.
China’s pursuit of cricketing glory is bolstered by their Olympic pedigree. At the Paris 2024 Games, they secured 91 medals, including 40 golds, showcasing their ability to dominate new disciplines with state-backed training programs.
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As the countdown to LA 2028 begins, all eyes will be on China’s cricketing evolution.
Also read: ICC To Finalise Qualification Of Six Teams For LA Olympics 2028: Reports
