Games-Australia beat India for T20 cricket gold but big winner was the sport

Commonwealth Games - Women's Cricket T20 - Australia v India - Medal Ceremony - Edgbaston Stadium, Britain - August 7, 2022 Gold medallists Australia celebrate on the podium during the medal ceremony REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff

BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) -Australia beat India by nine runs to claim the Commonwealth Games women's T20 cricket gold medal on Sunday but the real winner was the sport which delivered compelling competition and boosted its case to be included in the Olympics.

A part of the Commonwealth Games programme for the first time, women's cricket was one of the most sought after tickets in Birmingham particularly for Sunday's absorbing final between top ranked Australia and cricket-mad India.