BASSETERRE, St. Kitts - FOLLOWING the unprecedented announcement by captain of the West Indies limited overs team, Kieron Pollard that he is retiring from all forms of international cricket, Cricket West Indies President Ricky Skerritt has commended the Trinidadian for his tenure with the region side.
The hard-hitting batsman has been part of the Windies Men’s Team for the past 15 years, including as captain of the One Day International (ODI) and T20 International (T20I) teams since September 2019.
Commenting on the news of Pollard’s retirement, Skerritt expressed thanks to the right-handed alrounder for his time in the sports discipline.
“We respect his decision to retire from international cricket and are especially grateful for the high quality of leadership and commitment he invested in both West Indies teams since his appointment as our white-ball captain in September 2019. We wish him continued success in his career.”
Pollard, in a statement yesterday (Apr. 20), confirmed that it was a hard decision for him to leave, but he pointed out that he led the regional side with “passion, openness, courage”. He reflected on his time playing with some of the great West Indians of yester year”.
“I can still vividly remember making my international debut in 2007 under the leadership of my childhood hero, Brain Lara. Wearing those maroon colours and playing alongside such greats has been a privilege that I never took lightly, giving my heart and soul in every facet of the game.”
The 34-year-old allrounder announced his retirement from international cricket yesterday after formally communicating his decision to CWI.
During his career, Pollard was one of the most powerful batters on the international stage and revolutionised the way T20 cricket was played.
This was recently demonstrated when he struck six sixes in an over against Sri Lanka at the Coolidge Cricket Ground, Antigua in March 2021.
His finest hour came in 2012 when he was a member of the West Indies team that won the ICC T20 Men’s World Cup when they defeated Sri Lanka in the Final at the Premadasa Stadium.
Pollard made his international debut for West Indies during the 2007 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup and played 123 ODIs. He made 2,706 runs with a top score of 119 vs India in Chennai in 2011.
He also took 55 wickets.
Pollard made his T20I debut against Australia at Kensington Oval in 2008 and appeared in 101 matches. He scored 1,569 runs – including 99 sixes, and also took 42 wickets. His top score was 75 not out against New Zealand in Auckland in 2020; while his best figures were 4-25 against Ireland at Warner Park, St Kitts in 2020.
