By Sue-Ann Wayow
TRINIDAD and Tobago cricketer Kieron Pollard is scoring big and firmly establishing himself as one of the greatest performers in the shorter forms of cricket.
In a congratulatory message from the Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board (TTCB), Pollard was hailed for his recent performance in Antigua and Barbuda.
The 33-year-old all-rounder joined South Africa’s Hershelle Gibbs and Yuvraj Singh of India as the only batsmen to crash six sixes in one over in the limited overs format as he led the West Indies to a four-wicket victory, with 41 balls to spare over Sri Lanka in the first CG T20 International at the Coolidge Cricket Ground on Wednesday evening.
Fresh from captaining the Trinidad and Tobago Red Force to victory in an unprecedented unbeaten run in the Cricket West Indies CG Super50 Cup on Saturday at the same venue, Pollard lofted spinner Akilaq Dananjaya over the ropes off six consecutive deliveries in the sixth over of the innings.
In his previous over, the Sri Lankan had snapped up a hat-trick (three wickets in three consecutive balls) to put T&T in a spot of trouble chasing 132 to win.
On Thursday, president of the TTCB, Azim Bassarath said that Pollard’s feat defied description and underlined his ability to rise to the occasion which makes him a truly inspirational leader.
Bassarath said, “We have now become accustomed to these exhilarating performances in all facets of the game from the West Indies white ball captain, while batting in crucial stages of the game, bowling at the death, or executing gravity-defying catches in the outfield.”
The TTCB boss said that Pollard’s exceptional exploits made him outstanding in the championship-winning teams with the Red Force, the West Indies, and with the Mumbai Indians in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Pollard, Gibbs and Yuvraj are all Mumbai Indians.
“Now he’s the only the second cricketer after Yuvraj to smash six maximums in T20 Internationals. It is also the second exhibition of power-hitting recorded in the Caribbean following Gibbs’ feat in a 2007 World Cup 50-Over match in St Kitts and Nevis against the Netherlands,” said Bassarath.
West Indies legend Sir Gary Sobers was the first to set the standard for six-hitting when he played for Nottinghamshire in English County Cricket against Glamorgan in Swansea, Wales on August 31, 1968.
Bassarath said that Pollard seems to be getting better with age, proving to be a winner at the forefront of three winning teams in the past six months with the Mumbai in the 2020 IPL in the United Arab Emirates, the Red Force in the 2020 CPL in Trinidad & Tobago, and the recent CG Super50 Cup in Antigua & Barbuda.
He added that Pollard will be greatly missed as he would not be available to lead the Red Force in the CWI Regional 4-Day Tournament since he will be on franchise club duty with Mumbai Indians in the IPL.
Bassarath said, “The TTCB congratulates our captain on his record-equalling performance which has made T&T proud and warmed the hearts of his fans all over the world. Polly is an exceptional ambassador for our country who has deservedly etched his name in the history of cricket.”
He extended his best wishes to Pollard and the entire West Indies team for the two remaining T20 matches, and the three ODIs to follow against the Sri Lankans.
