SK Cricket Olympics: Virat Kohli, Andre Russell and Glenn Maxwell participate in 4x100 Metres Relay
The Rio Olympics is in full swing as athletes from all over the world are putting in their best efforts to secure a medal at ‘The World’s Greatest Show’. It has been an enthralling time so far with Michael Phelps and Usain Bolt, the Olympics’ two greatest attractions playing a major part already.
India has struggled and is yet to record her first medal in the event. That said, a number of Indian athletes have done us proud with their performances at Rio.
While a number of the world’s best athletes are present at Rio, competing for their nations, there are a set of sportsmen who have been resigned to the role of spectators. At the forefront, are our beloved cricketers.
Cricket is not a part of the Official Olympic Programme at Rio 2016 and until such time that its call is heard by the powers that matter, cricketers have been resigned to the backseat.
Here, at Sportskeeda, we love our cricket and we love our favourite stars. So we couldn’t help but imagine what it would be like to have cricketers participate in the Olympics, while not wielding the willow and flinging the cherry.
In the debut of the ‘SK Cricket Olympics’ series, we conjure up a 4X100 Metre Relay race between 5 of the best cricket playing nations in the world:
Note: This is a humourous piece and the views are not intended to be taken literally.
1) New Zealand
Team: Brendon McCullum, Trent Boult, Mitchell McClenaghan, Adam Milne
Predicted finish: 5th
Experience: A mixture of charging-in-to-bowl and acrobatics behind the stumps
Star: Brendon McCullum
The Kiwis entered the finals after narrowly beating the likes of England and Sri Lanka in the qualification round. For England, Alastair Cook dragged his team back, while for Sri Lanka, Angelo Mathews picked up an injury during the race, hurting his team’s chances.
The Kiwis might feel lucky to have earned a spot in the finals, where they might be outperformed by other powerhouses. They will rely heavily on a quick start by Brendon McCullum. Brendon’s athleticism belies his age and his team should be in a good position after the first 100 metres. Trouble however looms as they rely on 3 of their quick bowlers to get them over the line.
Mitchell McClenaghan cuts an imposing figure when he runs into bowl, but he might not be as deadly in a 100 metre dash and might drag his team back. He has a habit of staring down his opponents for long periods and that might cost him time as he picks up the baton from McCullum.
Adam Milne is on the way to becoming the fastest bowler in the world, he will look to replicate such form here. He is the youngest of the lot and will be expected to plug the gap on the leaders in the middle of the race.
Trent Boult will be delegated with running the final 100 metres, Boult, who is both fast and athletic, is as quick as any over a 100 metre distance. Reports have emerged that Boult is considering changing his name to Bolt prior to the event and this might have an effect on the race.