Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake Could Clash On The Cricket Pitch In Australia This Summer

Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake "has been approached to play in the Big Bash Twenty20 competition and the Sydney Sixers lead the race for his signature," according to Jamie Pandaram of the Sydney DAILY TELEGRAPH. Days after Usain Bolt revealed that former Australian cricketer Shane Warne "has asked him to play" in the Big Bash League, 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 Sydney Sixers CEO Stuart Clark will make an offer to the Jamaican if he is available. Clark said, "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." Australian agent Tony Connelly is brokering the deal between Blake and the Big Bash after seeing the sprinter's comments. Connelly said, "Usain might run quicker, but Yohan is a faster bowler. He always dreamed of playing cricket for the West Indies, so the Big Bash is his chance to play with the world's best." The 22-year-old Blake and his manager are now working out if he will be free to play BBL games this summer amid his sprint commitments (DAILY TELEGRAPH, 8/16).

CORRUPTION: In other news, PAKISTAN TODAY reported that the Sri Lankan cricket board Monday "handed over a taped conversation of the Int'l Cricket Council, which surrounds allegations of an alleged corruption attempt." Sri Lanka Cricket Media Manager Rajith Fernando said in an emailed statement that "the tape was initially given to a local newspaper and a copy of it has now been made available to officials of the Anti Corruption Unit of the ICC" (PAKISTAN TODAY, 8/14).