Although he is done with the international game, Kieron Pollard will still be in good spirits behind the field, with Trinidad and Tobago Cricket Board president Azim Bassarath signaling his intention to engage the all-rounder to continue helping out. in the development of the game at the local and regional level. .
Speaking at the launch of the Scotiabank NextGen Under-13 Development Program at the National Cricket Center on Thursday, Bassarath praised the impact Pollard has made on the game, calling him a legend in the shorter formats and a role model for the next generation of T&T and West Indies cricketers.
“I take this opportunity on behalf of the cricket fraternity of Trinidad and Tobago and the TTCB to thank Mr. Pollard for his services and for representing us with distinction globally. We continue to wish him success in his future endeavours,” said Bassarath.
“It is time that we use his skills and expertise to further assist in the development of cricket in Trinidad and Tobago and for the authorities to engage him in one form or another at the national level,” said the TTCB president.
Highlighting Pollard as an example of what young cricketers can hope to achieve in the game, Bassarath said the U-13 program and the board’s other youth development initiatives are aimed at creating cricketers who “will bring credit to Trinidad and Tobago, the West Indies and become outstanding ambassadors wherever they travel to develop their trade into the future and beyond.
“One such performer on the world stage immediately springs to mind, and he is someone we all know and love and admire and who brought tears to his eyes when he announced recently that he was retiring from the international game, that he would to say that they will no longer represent the West Indies,” said Bassarath.
“Kieron Pollard or ‘Polly’ as his colleagues call him has become a legend of the shorter form of the game or white ball cricket. I personally felt, as president of the TTCB and director of Cricket West Indies that this giant had at least four more years at that level. But as his friend Sunil Narine said, only ‘Polly’ knew when it was time,” Bassarath continued.
“There is no doubt that he served West Indies cricket with distinction during the period he was associated with the maroon hood and his amazing statistics speak volumes for his prowess with bat, ball and in the field.”
Bassarath added that, “Pollard played the game with great passion and he gave it his all with some of his most outstanding performances when it was desperately needed and often with his team’s back against the wall.”
He added: “Soft spoken, kind and approachable he was undoubtedly one of the most respected cricketers on the world stage and everywhere else he played, especially in his second home of Mumbai in India, where he was looked upon with fear and search. from fans and media.
“His aggressive and focused style while on the field easily distinguished him as a leader and when he was captain. He made his teammates comfortable and was always willing to listen, which gave them inspiration and motivation, always leading by example. When the history of T20 cricket is written, Kieron Pollard’s name will be etched in golden letters as one of the greatest entertainers and a formidable pioneer of the format.”
And the TTCB president concluded by saying that, “I say this to show the young cricketers that they have a perfect example to look up to as they aim to develop their skills and talent and hopefully fill cheap shoes now by Pollard in years. to come.”
