Timing is of utmost importance — whether in life in general or in sport, even more so while wielding the willow.
Kieron Pollard’s innings on Wednesday couldn’t have been timed better! It took Mumbai Indians to a thrilling win against Kings XI Punjab, came on his wife’s birthday and zoomed him back into the reckoning for the West Indies World Cup squad.
Reminder
With the new regime at Cricket West Indies aiming to accommodate the best in the international arena, the T20 ‘freelancers’ are being considered for the World Cup. And, Pollard served up more than a gentle reminder.
“There has been a lot of turmoil in West Indies cricket. But we have seen change in the last couple of weeks. Pollard was one of the guys blacklisted,” the all-rounder said after his blitzkrieg.
“The most I can do every time I step out on a cricket field is try to put runs on the board. I’m 31, Chris Gayle is 39, and he's still whacking it out of the ground,” said Pollard.
If the likes of Pollard, Andre Russell and Sunil Narine — all of whom have hardly featured in ODIs in the last three years — are considered for the World Cup, along with ‘Universe Boss’ Gayle, the Windies could well be a force to reckon with.
While the other Caribbean stars are consistent performers in the IPL, Pollard has turned the tide in a scintillating manner after a mediocre 2018 edition.
Enjoying himself
The last three games have shown that Pollard has regained his mojo, with Wednesday night witnessing the peak as he mustered his highest IPL score.
“Opinion is just something in people's heads. It didn't work last year, last year's gone... they showed faith in me, they retained me for this season and they started me as well.
“It's just a matter of me coming out and enjoying my cricket once again. And, that's exactly what I'm doing,” he said.
