Bolt could play Big Bash League

Warne launches campaign to bring sprint king to Australia

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

Bolt played junior cricket before turning to the track and has long voiced a love for the sport on various occassions. He said he wanted to play and had spoken to the Australian former Test leg-spinner.

“Warne contacted me and asked me 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. “So we will see if I get the time off. I will try.”

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 reengage with him and his management company, ” Cooper told Melbourne newspaper The Age.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2012.