Cricket will be staged at a purpose-built temporary venue at the Fairgrounds in Pomona, Southern California, during the 2028 Olympics Games hosted by Los Angeles, the LA28 organising committee announced on Tuesday.

Pomona is about 50km to the east of Los Angeles and the Fairgrounds, officially known as Fairplex, is a 500-acre complex that has hosted the Los Angeles County Fair since 1922.

The LA28 Olympics, which will be held from July 14 to 30, sees cricket return to the event for the first time since 1900 when Great Britain played France in a two-day game.

There will be a six-team competition for men and women with the sport having been allocated 90 athlete quotas, meaning there will be 15-player squads for each. The qualifying pathway and cut-offs are yet to be determined.

“We welcome the announcement of the venue for cricket at Los Angeles 2028 as it is a significant step towards the preparation for our sport’s return to the Olympics,” Jay Shah, the ICC chair, said. “Although cricket is a hugely popular sport, it will be a fantastic opportunity to expand traditional boundaries when it features in the Olympics in the fast-paced, exciting T20 format that should appeal to new audiences.”

During last year’s men’s T20 World Cup in the USA and Caribbean, a pop-up stadium was built in New York, which hosted the India-Pakistan contest among its fixtures, with Central Broward Stadium in Lauderhill and Grand Prairie Stadium in Texas also used.

Cricket joins five new sports at LA28 – baseball/softball, flag football, lacrosse (sixes) and squash.

There is an expectation that cricket will be retained for the 2032 Olympics in Brisbane with the finals of the event being planned as the last matches to be staged at the Gabba before it is demolished.

(espncricinfo.com)

(This story, originally published by espncricinfo.com has not been edited by SLM staff)

Sri Lanka “A” secured a comprehensive 06-wicket victory against Afghanistan “A” on April 15 at the UAE A-Team Tri Series (OD) 2025.

After winning the toss, Afghanistan “A” chose to bat first and scored 248/8 in 50 overs. 

Sri Lanka’s Dilshan Madushanka bagged 04 wickets, while Mohammed Shiraz took 02.

Chasing a target of 249, Sri Lanka “A” reached it in 41.3 overs, losing just 4 wickets. 

Captain Sadeera Samarawickrama played a brilliant knock of 129 runs, earning the Man of the Match award, while Lahiru Udara contributed with 81 runs.

Afghanistan’s Khaleel Ahmed took 02 wickets.

England’s all-time leading Test wicket-taker James Anderson is to be given a knighthood for services to cricket.

Anderson, 42, retired from Test cricket last summer with 704 wickets, making him the most successful pace bowler in the format.

He made his first appearance for England in a one-day international against Australia in December 2002 before his Test debut in May 2003.

Anderson went on to play 188 Tests, 194 ODIs and 19 T20 internationals for England during an international career which spanned over two decades.

The Lancashire player has been given the knighthood in former Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s resignation honours list – the only sportsperson to be given an award.

England and Wales Cricket Board chair Richard Thompson said it was “a really well-deserved honour” for an “England legend” who has “given so much to our sport”.

“Jimmy’s career has been marked by extraordinary achievements, not least in winning the Ashes four times and becoming England’s all-time leading wicket-taker,” he added.

“His skill, determination, and sportsmanship have inspired millions of cricketers and fans alike, in England and around the world.

“This is fitting recognition for a true world great who has given so much to the game on and off the field.”

Anderson’s decision to retire from international duty came after England coach Brendon McCullum and captain Ben Stokes decided they want to build an attack for the future.

He was given an emotional farewell in the first Test against West Indies at Lord’s last July and then immediately joined the England backroom team as a fast-bowling mentor.

He no longer has a formal coaching role with England and could still work with the squad during the summer, although he said his priority is to continue his playing career for Lancashire.

Anderson has not played since he retired from international cricket but has signed a deal to play for the Red Rose county this summer.

Burnley-born Anderson said at the start of the month he was not ruling out playing for up to three more years.

Mark Chilton, Lancashire’s director of cricket performance, said they were “incredibly proud” of Anderson.

“His contribution to the game of cricket, spanning across three decades, has been immense and he is extremely deserving of this honour,” he added on the club website.

“His knighthood is testament to the commitment and dedication he has shown to England and to Lancashire, and he has always represented the game of cricket with distinction throughout his career.”

Anderson is currently out with a calf injury picked up during pre-season training which has ruled him out of the first block of County Championship matches.

He made his Lancashire debut in white-ball cricket in 2000, before making his red-ball debut in 2002.

He has taken 1,114 first-class wickets, 358 in List A cricket and 41 in T20s.

(BBC Sport)