There isn’t a cricket ground big enough in Australia to hold those who would happily pay to see Usain Bolt in the Big Bash League.
The world’s greatest sprinter has form away from the track.
West Indian fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh described a ‘lightning Bolt’ delivery as the fastest he had ever seen.
He bowled Chris Gayle in a Jamaican charity game in 2012, before planting a Gayle offie over the fence.
You can see the ‘lightning Bolt’ to Gayle on YouTube.
Bolt’s bowling and batting are as effortless as his sprinting; there seems no limit to his performances.
There have been other charitable appearances, such as in India in 2014 with Yuvray Singh. Bolt is a natural.
“He loves his cricket, but his profession is running,” was how Walsh summed up his compatriot.
But his track days are coming to an end, and most likely his swansong will be the world championships in London next August, when he’ll add to his 11 world golds and two silvers to go with his nine Olympic golds.
Bolt will be 31.
So far all he has released are some details of his sorting future, such as possible training sessions with Borussia Dortmund, and a deep desire to play for Man United – but there’s no mention of cricket.
The BBL has been a phenomenal success, with the sixth edition looming as another bonanza when it blasts off with the Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers derby on December 20 for a 35-game tournament in just 40 days, with the final on January 28.
So far there’s the spectacular quartet from overseas in Brendon McCullum, Kumar Sangakkara, Kevin Pietersen and Kieron Pollard to blend in with the Aussie heavy hitters.
But picture Usain Bolt letting fly with bat and ball as a tournament marquee cricketer, or even as a cameo performer, if not this season, then certainly next.
Everything about the Jamaican’s presence is electric. He is without peer as the world’s most popular and most readily recognised sportsman.
And cricket would be blinkered not to cash in on that superstar status, especially as Bolt has a great affinity with Australia and Australians.
Which BBL franchise will be the first to move?
BrainsTrust
Guest
FIrstly Bolt hardly trained for athletics till he was older,he was a natural who was super fast when he was a kid, he had to be called in from football and cricket games sometimes to race. Bolt only got access to a top level coach and training methods when he was 19. I think having a good diet and exercise as kids is important, Jamaica you have enough food there for good nutrition,and a lot of exercise without all these modern conveniences. The reason cricket is in decline because there was little money to be made by West Indian cricketers thanks to England and Australia. Now they are looking at the IPL and concentrating on T20 because thats where they can get money, because they sure can;t earn any from test cricket.
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
I agree Matth. He is an amazing athlete and maybe we should watch some Cricket from him before the tirade that's ensued. Before anyone invites him to the BBL give him a platform where he can showcase his talent. People would pay to watch him for sure, but they would quickly stop paying if he wasn't up to the mark.
matth
Guest
I reckon it would be awesome, but maybe the best way is to introduce the old All Stars T20 game to start the summer. Maybe a 3 game series with the best of the domestics and a few celebrity invites to round it out and then play Sydney, Melbourne Adelaide/Brisbane. I'd pay to see the Lightning Bolt and it wouldn't upset the BBL competition. It would be good to add Meg Lanning and Elyse Perry to the game as well as whichever newly retired champ wants a hit (e.g. Ponting, Hussey, Lee, McCullum, Gayle, Pietersen). All miked up and a bit of fun. I remember at the Gabba listening to a recently retired McGrath describe exactly how he was going to get some poor guy out (a current player at the time but can;t remember who) and he did it exactly how he planned. Great theatre.
jamesb
Guest
I wouldn't.
spruce moose
Guest
"not competitive between bat and ball." One of the best bowlers is 45. How is it not competitive?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Bolt being here would be such a good vibe, it's the vibe, it's Bolt, it's Gatorade - I rest my case
McNaulty
Guest
I think its a great idea. Whilst BBL is phenonimal in terms of popularity it is not competitive between bat and ball. The bowlers are still just cannon fodder. So why not get Bolt out there?
Paul D
Roar Guru
Yeah the first thing I thought of when I read this was does he not remember the farce of Andrew Johns playing for NSW? Typical petulant response from David.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
LOL Yeah, its a great idea because Bolt is famous, will have a bit of free time on his hands and he likes cricket. He's a "marquee cricketer" apparently!!!
mds1970
Roar Guru
But it's amazing how many of the world's best sprinters come from the West Indies. If Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh were coming into their sporting prime now, would they have chosen athletics ahead of cricket? Could you imagine Usain Bolt and Asapha Powell opening the bowling? And what would it take to restore cricket to be the West Indies elite sport of choice?
mds1970
Roar Guru
Back in the early days of T20 when it was still an obscure state-based competition, NSW picked Andrew Johns as a marketing gimmick. But BBL doesn't need publicity stunts like that. I think fans would rather have teams of cricketers who will give their best chance to win.
spruce moose
Guest
"I know you love regurgitating stats you’ve lifted off Cricinfo" Nonsense CtD. In this case, he's regurgitating stats of the back of a Bolt gatorade bottle. I haven't seen such a shoddy presentation of 'facts' since Alastair Campbell advised Tony Blair to invade Iraq off the basis of some kids year 9 assignment.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
If you could possible move past the childish name calling David you might be able to address the specifics of my criticisms of your writing. But you never do of course... "Usain Bolt is an accomplished cricketer." I know you love regurgitating stats you've lifted off Cricinfo, so perhaps you could enlighten us as to Bolt's first class cricketing career?
AlanKC
Guest
I'd turn up to see him play.
David Lord
Expert
Still hiding behind a pathetic no-name CtD, but to lift your normal ignorance level Usain Bolt is an accomplished cricketer.
spruce moose
Guest
All I can say is that thank God you aren't a defense lawyer David If you are mounting a case based on "West Indian fast bowling legend Courtney Walsh described a ‘lightning Bolt’ delivery as the fastest he had ever seen. He bowled Chris Gayle in a Jamaican charity game in 2012, before planting a Gayle offie over the fence" as your argument...
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
"The BBL has been a phenomenal success, with the sixth edition looming as another bonanza" Yes - note that's T20 has really hit its straps once the stupidity of getting non-cricketers to play in various teams was ended. But sure, let's revisit that idiocy. Yet another article demonstrating David Lord's complete disconnect with what's going on in sport today. Sigh...
BrainsTrust
Guest
Bolt is very expensive, they are talking about 1 million follars for him to appear at the Gold Coast not as an athlete but as an ambassador. To get him to play a month of Big Bash would surely run into the millions. It would be a lot cheaper to get Matty Johns in.
Matthew H
Guest
What a great idea.
correct sometimes
Guest
"So far all he has released are some details of his sorting future, such as possible training sessions with Borussia Dortmund, and a deep desire to play for Man United – but there’s no mention of cricket." These comments are what are called rubbish and speculative just to try and grab peoples attention with no chance of possibly happening As for 20/20 NO every day of the week and twice on sundays. You may like gimmicks but no thanks As for the publicity, if you need gimmicks for publicity then you are a house of cards