Kieron Pollard likely to be Windies' limited-overs captain: Details here
West Indies have been dismal recently in limited-overs cricket. After a sorry show in the ICC World Cup 2019, the side was blanked by India in both T20Is and ODIs at home recently. This has prompted Cricket West Indies (CWI) to decide upon the sacking of Carlos Brathwaite and Jason Holder as captains and hand it over to Kieron Pollard. Here's more.
According to a report in Trinidad & Tobago Guardian, the decision to opt for Pollard as the leader was taken by the CWI Board of Directors over the weekend. This was during their two-day regular quarterly meeting. Pollard's name was proposed by the selection committee and when the vote was taken, he got the support from six directors while the other six abstained.
Pollard last played an ODI in 2016. He was named as a reserve during the 2019 World Cup. The veteran featured for the side in the T20Is against India recently. It will be a big ask for Pollard to get Windies back to a strong level. However, his experience and character could be a welcome move. Windies need someone with a strong personality.
The big-hitting all-rounder has featured in 101 ODIs so far. He has scored 2,289 runs at an average of 25.71 with three centuries and nine fifties. Pollard has also scalped 50 wickets in this format. In T20Is, he has played a total of 62 matches, scoring 903 runs at an average of 21.50. He has 23 wickets under his belt.
Windies finished ninth in the 10-team 2019 World Cup in England and Wales. It was under Holder's captaincy. Against India at home next, Brathwaite was given the role to lead the side in both T20Is and ODIs. However, his inexperience came into play as WI suffered badly. Therefore, the onus is now on Pollard. He will hope to rally his side.
West Indies will next play against Afghanistan in their away tour set to be played in Dehradun from November 5. The series will see both the sides compete in three T20Is, three ODIs and one Test match respectively.
