Young, who has worked with Australia’s Olympic baseballers as well, believes Symonds is in the same bracket as a fielder.

“When you talk about Andrew Symonds it’s like talking about (Don) Bradman as a batsman or (Ricky) Ponting as a batsman,” Young was quoted as saying by Australian Associated Press (AAP).

“He’s in a place of his own, he’s that good an athlete, like Bolt,” he added.

Jamaican Bolt emerged as the fastest man on earth with his record-shattering exploits in the just-concluded Beijing Olympics.

So impressed by Roy’s athleticism that Young believes Symonds could have excelled at any sport.

“I think he’s the best all around athlete for strength, power and speed in cricket I’ve seen,” Young said.

“Jonty (Rhodes) was good, real good. 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,” Young explained.

“The guy paralyses you, you can’t teach guys that, it’s natural,” he added