SPORTS
Yohance Simonette
I was very involved with Kieron Pollard’s early days at Queen’s Park Cricket Club. He was part of a group of young cricketers that Paul Clarke, a loyal teacher at Tranquility Government High School and cricket enthusiast, would send to the club every year in October when the club had its talent show. cricket, for those who were interested in joining. as members of stallions.
Pollard’s group was evaluated in 2002.
Needless to say, he was accepted. At that time, his bowling grabbed the attention more than his batting. In the inner nets, with his run shortened, the now six-foot-tall Pollard, a fit youngster, looked menacing. However, his batting talent was on display. Recognition quickly grew that he was an excellent timer of the ball who played in an orthodox manner with a straight bat. A natural cricketer, he learned quickly.
His introduction was remarkable. His fielding was confident and assured, his shots at goal were powerful and direct and many of the catches he took were spectacular. There was no one better.
He approached the sport with love and passion, always sure of himself. From his early days, he was a student of the game. He always sought advice and discussed all aspects of cricket with anyone who was interested.
Kieron developed quickly. Soon he was in the club’s U-21 team, which he eventually managed. I remember a 100 he scored at the Oval. The century was decorated with trouble-free sixes and flawless fours.
This reminds me of a funny story that happened that day.
The pavilion at the Oval was being rebuilt and there were five or six men working on the roof while Pollard was batting.
During his matches, the powerful right-hander started hitting straight sixes with impeccable timing. It was just straightforward, effortless movements. He was about to turn 19 and no one had ever heard of him.
Suddenly, these men began to take cover, as the balls were landing on the open roof. They downed the tools and took shelter in the pavilion until Pollard was no longer at the crease.
I went to talk to them afterwards and one of them asked me to identify the batsman who had been hit hard. I told. He replied: “He should play for WI. It almost killed us!” Laughter.
A year later, he was playing for WI, having been selected in the squad for the 2007 World Cup.
In 2009, several events fell into place to offer Pollard a big future in the game which he took with open arms. The organizers of the Indian Premier League (IPL) decided to have the T20 Champions League for all test playing countries.
WI were not invited because the WI Cricket Board never had a T20 tournament, and therefore did not have a champion to send.
However, a team captained by Daren Ganga, with Colin Borde as manager, was accepted, following the intervention of TTCB president Deryck Murray.
He explained that there was a T20 tournament, organized by Allen Stanford, which TT had won, and the IPL accepted it, to ensure representation from WI. TT reached the final, against Australia’s New South Wales Blues. Although they lost the match, they were a big hit at the event.
Pollard emerged as a star. He was picked up by the Mumbai Indians, where he is still revered.
Being the brilliant cricketer that he is, it was only logical that a number of responsibilities were thrown at him over the years.
They have done their part. The outbreak of the pandemic. The heavy duty of the captain. The burden of having to play during jams. Injury concern and its effect.
These were serious issues that Pollard had to deal with. The expectations of his fans cannot be discounted.
His performances in the recent past have been disappointing, yet Pollard’s fans still adore him and would always turn up hoping that today he will play one of his fantastic matches and win the match for them. They will always see it as a lit fuse waiting to blow.
Unfortunately, at the moment, he is a tired man. Too much to handle on his broad shoulders. Plus, the common problem of all high-class international athletes is burnout and exhaustion.
Hopefully, all he needs is a few months off, to spend with his family, come back and play another three or four years. I will miss him.
After adequate rest, he will remain a tiger in franchises around the world.
