Bolt considers Warne offer to play T20 in Australia

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, 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 on 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. Bolt, 25, said he particularly like the fast-paced Twenty20 concept, where each side tries to blast as many runs as possible in a maximum of 20 overs. The format has spread around the world since it was introduced nearly a decade ago as a more exciting alternative to longer versions of the game and it is now part of virtually all international cricket tours. “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. The eight-team Big Bash League, featuring privately owned city-based franchises, begins its second season on Dec.7 with the final on Jan.19. It was launched last year, aiming to attract a new youthful audience with an emphasis on energy and a fast-paced atmosphere. Warne, who is expected to play for the Melbourne Stars for a second season this year, has begun a social media campaign to win support for Bolt to play with the team.