Fri May 24 13:50:45 SAST 2013
Fri May 24 13:50:45 SAST 2013

Usain Bolt to play 'fun' cricket?

Aug 13, 2012 | Sapa-AFP | 7 comments

Negotiations are under way for cricket-mad sprint king Usain Bolt to play in Australia’s Twenty20 Big Bash League, with Shane Warne leading the campaign to bring him to Melbourne

Bolt, hailed by International Olympic Committee chief Jacques Rogge as the greatest sprinter of all time after three gold medals in London, played junior cricket before turning to the track and has long voiced a love for the game.

He said he wanted to play and had spoken to the Australian former Test leg-spinner.

“He (Warne) contacted me and asked me about if I am serious and if I really want to do it then he can put in a few words that should get it done,” Bolt told Australia’s Channel Nine television late Sunday.

“So we will see if I get the time off. I will try.” 

Cricket is hugely popular in the West Indies with Bolt’s Jamaica one of its strongest teams, producing greats such as Frank Worrell, Michael Holding, Courtney Walsh, and Chris Gayle.

“Twenty20, I love it,” said the sprinter, who describes himself as an all-rounder and told Australian media during the Olympics he planned to holiday Down Under in September.

“Just the fact that it is so exciting, it’s about going hard the whole time, not just about playing shots. It’s about being aggressive and I like that style of batsman.

“If I get the chance I will definitely try because I know it’s going to be a lot of fun.

“I don’t know how good I am. I will probably have to get a lot of practice in,” he added.

Warne, expected to captain the Melbourne Stars franchise for a second season this year, has begun a social media campaign to win support for Bolt to play with the team.

“Cats out the bag, we’ve spoken. Olympic legend @usainbolt would like to have a crack at 20/20 for the Melb stars 2012 Please retweet guys,” tweeted Warne.

“I think the Melb Stars colours suits him hahah,” he added, referring to their green and white kit. “Let’s keep the momentum going & I will keep trying to make it happen!” 

He won support from fellow Australian and Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe, who tweeted: “Usain Bolt playing cricket for the Melbourne Stars?? @warne888 how amazing would that be? If you need sluggish medium pace, let me know.” 

According to Australian media, Bolt clean bowled the then West Indies captain Gayle in a charity match in 2009, having earlier hit him down the ground for six.

Melbourne Stars chief executive Clint Cooper said he would talk with Bolt once the dust settles on the Olympics.

“We’re going to wait until the Olympics is over and re-engage with him and his management company,” Cooper told Melbourne newspaper The Age on Monday. “We’ve got a couple of spots left on our list.” 

The eight-team Big Bash League begins on December 7.

The Melbourne Stars features Australian internationals David Hussey, Brad Hodge and James Pattinson, as well as English all-rounder Luke Wright.

Comments

Fri May 24 13:50:45 SAST 2013 ::
avatar image
Aug 13, 2012

Mellow

Am still obsessing bout Bolt's zuma and service delivery cartoon yalo threw at us sometime last week like WHT THE HELL?!

I hear some Black African sistas are going naar bout him dating a white chikita hhmm yah as if they were on his to-do list I mean really now...

Gooooo Bolt!!!

Report Abuse
avatar image
Aug 13, 2012

candilious

@Melllow hahahhahahhahahhah- Ja neh.................. hi there
Report Abuse
avatar image
Aug 13, 2012

Mellow

@Candilious Hi my lovely friend and hows you? Crazy world out there hey
Report Abuse
avatar image
Aug 13, 2012

candilious

@Mellow friendship never been better and you
Report Abuse
avatar image
Aug 13, 2012

Mellow

@Candilious am super my darling just on top of the world, work is a bit hectic after a looonnnggggggggggggggg wknd but other than that no complains

Did you manage to sort out that problem? My gmail account is giving my heart burn LOL
Report Abuse
avatar image
Aug 13, 2012

busybeem

mellow nd candilious stop making this a social network, for God's sake we have facebook, tweeter, watsapp u name them. say sumthing relavant to the topic nd stop asking each ada how u feel we don't wanna hear dat.
Report Abuse
avatar image
Aug 13, 2012

candilious

@Mellow - Indeed sorted chat later i have a sh!t load of work myself
Report Abuse

Read all 7 comments

Your Subscription

The SowetanLIVE Network