Australia's cricketers have called 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-time Olympic champion, is working with the Australian batsmen to improve their "explosiveness" off the mark.

"It's all about explosiveness, and that’s one thing I’ve noticed with cricket ─ they don’t really 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. Getting that right will definitely help people."

Bolt, 31, who retired 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 tips were welcomed ahead of Thursday's first 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 first 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 title 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 fit now," he said.

"My doctor finally passed me after my hamstring problems at the world championships, so now I can start training."

"I've started training while I'm here and trying to get into shape before I get home and next year I'll get a trial and we'll take it from there."

Opinion

Editorial

Return to the helm
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Return to the helm

With Nawaz Sharif as PML-N president, will we see more grievances being aired?
Unvaxxed & vulnerable
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Unvaxxed & vulnerable

Even deadly mosquito-borne illnesses like dengue and malaria have vaccines, but they are virtually unheard of in Pakistan.
Gaza’s hell
Updated 28 Apr, 2024

Gaza’s hell

Perhaps Western ‘statesmen’ may moderate their policies if a significant percentage of voters punish them at the ballot box.
Missing links
Updated 27 Apr, 2024

Missing links

As the past decades have shown, the country has not been made more secure by ‘disappearing’ people suspected of wrongdoing.
Freedom to report?
27 Apr, 2024

Freedom to report?

AN accountability court has barred former prime minister Imran Khan and his wife from criticising the establishment...
After Bismah
27 Apr, 2024

After Bismah

BISMAH Maroof’s contribution to Pakistan cricket extends beyond the field. The 32-year old, Pakistan’s...