Thursday, August 16, 2012

Yohan Blake could join Usain Bolt in Australian Cricket League


Sprint sensation Yohan Blake has been approached to play in the KFC T20 Big Bash League and Sydney Sixers lead the race for his signature.
Days after Usain Bolt revealed Shane Warne had asked him to play in the BBL, the approach to Blake sets up a potential dream showdown between the world's two fastest men on the cricket fields of Australia this summer.


Blake has recently expressed his desire to play cricket - listing it as his first love above athletics - and Sixers chief executive Stuart Clark will make an offer to the Jamaican if he is available.
"For one he is a great athlete, and yes he would be a marketer's dream, but from all reports he can actually play cricket and that's better than anything else," Clark told News Limited.
"If he can do what he says he can do, and I have no reason to disbelieve him, Yohan would be a marquee player for me to sign. I would definitely be considering it.
"I will need to see some footage of him bowling, but he has been saying he can bowl 90 miles per hour (145kmh), very few people in the world can do that."Usain Bolt is a great showman and entertainer, but he can't play cricket as far as I'm aware, to the standard necessary. Yohan Blake can, it seems."
After winning a gold and two silver medals at the London Games last week, Blake said: "I want to show you that I am better at cricket than running, I am a really talented batsman. You guys need to see me in action. I am a bowling machine that can bat all day.
"Cricket, that's my love, that's my passion. When I was growing up I watched cricket with my father. I have grown up to love the sport even more than track and field. Big ups to Ricky Ponting and the Australian cricket team. I love those guys."
Australian agent Tony Connelly is brokering the deal between Blake and the Big Bash League after seeing the sprinter's comments.
"Usain might run quicker but Yohan is a faster bowler," Connelly said. "He always dreamed of playing cricket for the West Indies so the Big Bash is his chance to play with the world's best."
Blake, 22, and his manager are now working out if he will be free to play BBL games this summer amid his sprint commitments. If so, the Sixers would be able to offer him their final overseas marquee contract and can tailor a deal for a specific number of matches.
Blake played a Twenty20 match for Kingston Cricket Club in the Jamaican league prior to the Olympics and claimed an astonishing 4-10.

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