Cricket at Olympics After 128 Years: Cricket will return to the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, following an unprecedented absence of 128 years. The last time the discipline was featured in an Olympic program was in Paris in 1900. It was planned that Belgium, Great Britain, France, and the Netherlands would participate. However, the Netherlands and Belgium abruptly withdrew, leaving only two teams to compete in a solitary match for the gold medal.
Cricket at Olympics After 128 Years: Unraveling the Lone Match in History
Indeed, both Great Britain and France batted twice during the two-day championship match, which was an intriguing development. The match did not merit first-class status, nor did each team field twelve players. The match ultimately produced a lackluster outcome, as Great Britain initiated the batting and were dismissed for a mere 117 runs. Frederick Cuming amassed the most runs scored with 38, whereas W Andersen of France excelled with four wickets taken in bowling.
Cricket approved for 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles
In reply, France were limited to 78 runs, with merely two of their batsmen surpassing the 10-run barrier. FW Christian of Great Britain took seven wickets during the innings, making him the top bowler. Great Britain demonstrated a more commendable performance in their second essay, amassing 145 runs at the expense of five wickets prior to declaring their innings, thereby setting France a target of 185 runs to secure the gold medal.
Half-centuries were scored by CBK Beachcoft (54) and Alfred Bowerman (59) for the team, while F Roques took three wickets as the top bowler for France in the second innings. France’s second innings was an even more dismal performance, as they were literally dismissed for 26 runs with six of their batters failing to score. Montagu Toller contributed to the Great Britain victory with seven wickets and nine runs conceded during the innings. The match was won by Great Britain by 158 runs in order to earn the cricket gold medal.
