Dynamic all-rounder Andrew Symonds has been dubbed the Usain Bolt of cricket fieldsmen by specialist Australian coach Mike Young.
Jamaican wonder Bolt was elevated to a world of his own following his trio of world record gold medal feats at Beijing this month.
Young, who's coached at the highest level including Australia's Olympic baseballers, believes Symonds is in the same stratosphere as a cricket fieldsman.
"When you talk about Andrew Symonds it's like talking about Bradman as a batsman or Ponting as a batsman," said Young, recently re-appointed Australia's fielding coach for a seven straight summer.
"He's in a place of his own, he's that good an athlete, like Bolt."
Young said Symonds was so athletically gifted he could have played any sport and been a success - including the American major leagues.
"I think he's the best all around athlete for strength, power and speed in cricket I've seen," he said.
Young enjoyed watching former South African cricketer Jonty Rhodes, another dynamite fieldsman.
Rhodes' run out of Pakistan's Inzamam-ul-Haq during the 1992 World Cup when he swooped on the ball and dived full stretch at the stumps, is still regarded as one of the most remarkable pieces of fielding in cricket history.
"Johnty was good, real good," said Young.
"Ricky Ponting is real good, Michael Clarke is real good, but none of those guys have the flat out, brute athletic power and strength that Symonds has.
"The guy paralyses you, you can't teach guys that, it's natural."
Young, who has just landed a coaching role with the Deccan Chargers in the Indian Premier League's Twenty-20 competition, was reunited with the Australian players at a camp in Brisbane this week before the three-game one-day series against Bangladesh in Darwin.
Australia has farewelled a number of long-serving Test stars in the last two season - Shane Warne, Glenn McGrath, Damien Martyn, Adam Gilchrist, Stuart MacGill, Brad Hogg and Justin Langer.
Coming into the international fold have been Shaun Marsh, Luke Ronchi, Brett Geeves, Doug Bollinger, Ashley Noffke, David Hussey and Ben Hilfenhaus.
"It's pretty exciting for everyone, including the coaches," said Young.
"When I first got involved (with the Australian cricket team) in 2003 we focused on our footwork, throwing and quickness, little strategies.
"We jumped the other countries. They weren't ready for it.
"But now they've watched and everyone's taken it on board and it's great for cricket.
"Everyone is catching up, but they still have to execute which is what Australia does best."
