Cricket-Sprint great Bolt backs big West Indies in T20

Eight-time Olympic champion and cricket fan Usain Bolt is backing his home team West Indies to become the first nation to win a hat-trick of T20 World Cup titles when the tournament kicks off next month.

West Indian cricket’s glory years are long gone as the team that won the first two editions of the 50-over World Cup failed to even qualify for last year’s tournament in India. But with the West Indies winning a Test in Australia for the first time in 27 years in January, Bolt is confident the Caribbean has finally put all their struggles behind them.

The fastest man in the world believes his team can add to their T20 World Cup victories in 2012 and 2016 as they will host this year’s tournament with the United States with the final taking place in Barbados on June 29. go with my home team,” Bolt said Wednesday at the Nassau County International Cricket Stadium, where tournament officials showed a glimpse of the newly built 34,000-seat stadium.

“Because we have some big hitters, West Indies can definitely win if we do well.” The two-time winners start their group campaign against Papua New Guinea on June 2 in Guyana.

While the United States seems an unlikely host for a cricket league, with the men’s ‘Big Four’ leagues of MLB, NBA, NHL and NFL dominating the sporting landscape, Bolt said American fans will be treated to an experience like no other. “The energy that the cricket brings, the atmosphere and the noise, it’s just amazing,” he said. “It’s something else you’ll never see.”

The world record holder in the 100 and 200 meters has previously shown he can handle both bat and ball and was ready to embrace the cricket spotlight again in New York as he snapped selfies with delighted attendees. The Eisenhower Park venue will host eight matches starting on June 3 with Sri Lanka facing South Africa.

“I finally get the chance to be part of cricket again,” Bolt said. “I’m glad I have the opportunity to be part of (the tournament) and promote a sport I love.”

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