Australian cricketer Elysse Perry (3R) is sorrounded by teammates as they celebrate the wicket of unseen West Indies cricketer Stafanie Taylor during the final match of the ICC Women's World Cup 2013 between Australia and West Indies at the Cricket Club of India's Brabourne stadium in Mumbai on February 17, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Indranil MUKHERJEE (Photo credit should read INDRANIL MUKHERJEE/AFP/Getty Images)

Cricket will make its long-awaited return to the Commonwealth Games starting this weekend in England, and with the sport also on the calendar for the 2026 version in Melbourne, the ICC are pushing to have it included at the 2028 Olympic Games.

Cricket last featured in the Commonwealth Games in 1998 with a men's 50-over tournament.

Its return will be through the T20 format with the Commonwealth Games featuring a women's tournament for the first time. It's understood Melbourne in 2026 will feature the same.

ICC chief executive Geoff Allardice said that he believes the fact cricket will be a star attraction at the Commonwealth Games - with all matches to be played at Edgbaston - will help the sport's push for inclusion in the Olympics.

"The idea of being here in Birmingham for the annual [ICC] conference is to celebrate cricket's involvement in the Commonwealth Games for the first time in 24 years [when a men's 50-over event was held, in Kuala Lumpur] with the women's T20 event," Allardice said.

"Judging on the reaction of the players, they all are very excited and enjoying the experience of being around the top athletes from other sports.

"We have declared our ambition to be involved in the Olympic Games. We are assisting the LA 2028 organisers and providing any information will help their assessment of different sports with regards to addition to the Olympic programme. But, at this stage, a decision is due next year."

It's understood cricket hasn't made the provisional list for 2028 according to Cricinfo, however, they are likely to have another push for inclusion following Birmingham's Commonwealth Games.

It's understood that if cricket misses out in 2028, they will push harder for inclusion in 2032 where the Australian Olympic Committee will have a far stronger chance of including the sport ahead of the Brisbane Games.