What are the Commonwealth Games?
The Commonwealth Games are a multi-sport event held every four years (usually in the middle of the Olympic Games), this time involving athletes from 72 nations and territories, many of which were once British colonies. The first edition, called the British Empire Games, was held in Hamilton, Canada, in 1930.
Similar to the Olympics, certain sports may come and go from the Commonwealth Games and increasingly that list – determined by the host city with agreement from the governing body – is increasingly being developed in addition to the “major sports” that always appear, like athletics and swimming.
Where are the Games taking place?
Africa was due to host the Games for the first time when the South African city of Durban was awarded the right to host in September 2015. But the Commonwealth Games Federation withdrew those rights in March 2017 after it emerged that financial constraints caused from South Africa’s growing economy would prevent the city from fulfilling some of the promises made when it bid for the event. Birmingham was announced as Durban’s replacement to host the Games in December 2017. The opening ceremony will be held on 27 July and the Games close on 8 August.
Cricket at the Commonwealth Games?
Women’s cricket will be played at the 2022 Games after the ICC and ECB successfully lobbied for its inclusion. In announcing Birmingham’s proposal for women’s cricket, the Commonwealth Games Federation said the addition of the sport “is likely to be popular not only with local spectators in Birmingham, but also with fans across the competing nations, with 90% of the one billion sports fans worldwide who consider residing in the Commonwealth”.
Supporters of the ICC’s push to include cricket in the Olympics from 2028 in Los Angeles (LA) and beyond will no doubt have a keen eye on the event as a test case, especially given that the sport did not to enter the provisional list for LA with a final decision next year. No pressure, then!
Who is playing cricket in the games?
Each team plays the other teams in their group once with the top two in each group advancing to the semi-finals. The top team in Group A will play the second-placed team in Group B in the semi-finals and the leaders of Group B will play the second-placed team in Group A for a place in the final. The runners-up from each semi-final will advance to the bronze medal play-off.
The women’s cricket event begins with Australia playing India on July 29, while India play Pakistan on July 31.
Where will the matches be played?
How did Barbados get to the Games?
In late 2020, the ICC announced a qualification process for the Commonwealth Games: England became automatic hosts, along with the six highest-ranked teams from 1 April 2021, with the eighth and final spot going to the winner of a qualification. tour – Sri Lanka.
The West Indies were direct qualifiers under that ranking criterion and so an intra-regional tour – including Barbados, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad & Tobago and two composite teams representing the Leeward and Windward Islands – was planned to determine which country of the Caribbean would compete in the Games. That competition was canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic and Barbados were selected to participate in the Games because they were the champions of the West Indies regional competition – Twenty20 Blaze.
For all you statsgurus out there, Barbados’ matches at the Games count in T20Is, so player and team stats will count as international stats. Some familiar names in the Barbados squad include Hayley Matthews, their captain and the recently appointed West Indies captain, star all-rounder Deandra Dottin, twin sisters Kycia and Kyshona Knight, Shakera Selman, Shamilia Connell and Aaliyah Alleyne, who all are experienced players for West Indies. .
Who are the favorites?
Valkerie Baynes is a managing editor at ESPNcricinfo
