Usain Bolt could play Twenty20 in Australia

AFP

Melbourne, 13 Aug 2012: Negotiations are underway 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 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.

 

"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 is the marquee player for the Melbourne Stars franchise and he 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!"

 

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

 

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