Kieron Pollard the Future of West Indies Cricket
The Young Trinidad & Tobago Allrounder May be the Next Big Thing
Oct 25, 2009
Kieron Pollard was born on May 12, 1987 in Tacarigua, Trinidad. He is a right-handed allrounder, bowling fast-medium and batting in the lower order. Despite only being 22 years old, Pollard has already been compared favourably with such modern greats as Kevin Pieterson.
Pollard's Domestic Statistics
Pollard's first appearance in domestic cricket came in the Stanford 20/20 tournament. He scored 96 runs at 32, maintaining an excellent strike rate of 184. Pollard also took six wickets at 15 with an acceptable economy of 7.5
He burst onto the scene for Trinidad & Tobago's First Class team in the Carib Beer Series, making a quickfire 126. He went on to score 390 runs at 48.75.
His form in the List-A arena was even more compelling, as the youngster topped the runs tally with 261 at 43.50, earning him a call-up to the West Indies team for the 2007 World Cup at home.
Kieron Pollard At International Level
Kieron Pollard played only a single match at the world cup, bowling two three overs, conceding 20 runs, and scoring 10 with the bat.
His next chance did not come until over a year later. Since then, he has remained a fairly unfulfilled potential, averaging with the bat a meager 11.4, with a high score of 42, while his performance with the ball has been more impressive, taking 12 wickets at 28.
Pollard has not played for the West Indies since May, due to the recent West Indies contract dispute. However, it is concievable that he will be selected in the West Indies limited overs teams to tour Australia. If so he will be expected to stand up and play a more active role in the team's batting.
Pollard's Performance In the Champions League
Pollard played well in the Twenty20 Champions League in India. In six matches the allrounder scored 146 runs at 36.50, including that 54 not out against New South Wales, where he slugged 54 off an astonishing 18 balls to win a close match for Trinidad & Tobago. To add to the bag he also took four handy wickets in the tournament.
After the New South Wales match where he made his phenomenal score, the West Indian allrounder was approached by Blues' coach Matthew Mott about the possibility of taking part in Australia's domestic Twenty20 tournament, the KFC Big Bash. Cricket NSW CEO David Gilbert said that Pollard "was very keen" on negotiations continuing further. If Pollard did take part in the Big Bash for New South Wales, it would certainly boost the Blues' chances of keeping the title.
Should Pollard become more consistent at international level, there is nothing to say that he won't grow into the West Indies' best player in future years.
