Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has urged for the sport's governing bodies to push for it to be included in the Olympics.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided against signalling its intention to launch a bid for cricket's inclusion in the future, but Ponting believes that the Olympics would be the perfect platform for the sport to grow.

"The Olympics is the pinnacle of global sport and to be able to get cricket into something like that would be an awesome spectacle," the 40-year-old claimed after taking part in a meeting of the MCC World Cricket committee at Lord's.

"It would be great for the growth and development of cricket.

"The discussions were very positive. We should look to grow the game and open it to different markets and introduce cricket to a new audience - I think that's something the game needs."

Ponting has backed a plan for a Twenty20 format at the Olympics with sides formed with players under the age of 23.