Bolt star attraction at celebrity cricket match

Usain Bolt rose to superstar status on the athletics track, but the treble world record-holder showed his prowess on the cricket pitch in a charity match on Sunday.

As soon as Bolt arrived at the Kaiser Sports Club in Discovery Bay on Jamaica’s north coast, hundreds of fans rushed him - some saying they only wanted to touch the superstar while others wanted pictures and autographs.

When Bolt took the field to warm up, his security team had trouble keeping away thousands who just wanted to get close to one of Jamaica’s biggest heroes.

Bolt spun the toss for his Trelawny team, but his opposite number Chris Gayle called correctly and opted to field.

In his brief innings, Bolt brought the crowd to their feet despite only making 13 runs off 10 deliveries, hitting a four and six off West Indies captain Gayle as Trelawny reached 124 for six off 15 overs.

With his team defending the modest total, Bolt had the crowd of more than 6,000 firmly behind him as he bowled West Indies opener Gayle - the host of the event. Bolt said it a day of fun for him.

“It was a good game, I really enjoyed it,” said Bolt, who played cricket as a youngster.

“These are the things I like to do, it’s fun.” “I am always in for charity,” he added.

Bolt, who followed up his 2008 Olympic triumphs in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay with world championship victories in the same events this year, said he would rest his body prior to beginning his preparations for the 2010 season.

KINGSTON, Monday, AFP