Bolt enlisted to make Aussie cricketers ‘explosive’ runners

SYDNEY: Austral ia’s cricketers have cal led on retired sprint king Usain Bolt to boost their running between the wickets during the Ashes Test series against England.

The Jamaican track superstar, the world record holder in the 100m and 200m and eight-t ime Olympic champion, is working with the Austral ian batsmen to improve their “explosiveness” off the mark.

“It’s all about explosiveness, and that’s one thing I’ve not iced with cricket - - they don’t real ly have a lot of explosiveness when they’re running,” the world’s fastest man told the Herald Sun newspaper.

“They seem to always take off at a slow rate. Get t ing that right will definitely help people.”

Bolt, 31, who ret ired from athletics after August’s World Championships in London, said he was trying to increase the awareness of running while batting.

Australian batsman Peter Handscomb said Bolt ’s t ips were welcomed ahead of Thursday’s f irst Ashes Test in Brisbane.

“He was giving us a few pointers on how to get a little bit faster,” Handscomb said. “We’ll give it a crack.

“He was trying to get us nice and low in the turn and in and out. The f irst couple of steps are key and if we can get them right, we’ll be fast.

“Obviously he’s the fastest man ever so if we can have the t it le with him, that ’d be cool.”

Bolt said had been busy after retirement preparing for a tilt at football, having been invited to train with Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund.

“It’s something that I want to do. I’m trying to get f it now,” he said.

“My doctor finally passed me after my ham string problems at the world championships, so now I can start t raining.

“I’ ve started training while I’ m here and trying to get into shape before I get home and next year I’ ll get atrial and we’ ll take it from there.” - AFP