Legendary West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard has called time on his international career, which spanned almost 15 years. The 34-year-old cricketer took to social media to announce his decision on Wednesday (April 20).
Making his ODI debut in 2007 under the leadership of Brian Lara, Pollard had a poor start to his international cricket and had a batting average of 11.30 from 15 ODIs. On the other hand, he averaged 17.20 from 10 T20Is after making his debut in 2008.
Over the next few years, Pollard improved his international record, scoring a pair of half-centuries at the 2011 World Cup and then, later that year, breaking his century duck by slamming a 110-ball 119 in a crisis situation against India in Chennai. There were plenty of explosive T20 finishes as well, including a 15-ball 38 that put the 2012 World T20 semi-final well beyond Australia’s reach.
“POLLARD BIDS FAREWELL TO INTERNATIONAL CRICKET. @windiescricket ❤️❤️. PS… thank you @insignia_sports for putting this trip down memory lane together to support my statement,” Pollard wrote on Instagram.
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Kieron Pollard bids farewell with 2706 runs under his belt in 123 ODIs, including three hundreds and 13 fifties. He has a better record in the shortest format with 1569 runs in 101 games at a strike rate of 135.14. Pollard also has 97 international wickets to his name. He has always desired to play Test cricket with a good first-class record but was never considered.
“I will always be supporting in whatever way I can” – Kieron Pollard
Pollard was the captain of the white-ball teams as he steps aside from international cricket. However, the veteran cricket vouched to help West Indies Cricket in any way possible. In a statement shared on social media, Kieron Pollard wrote:
“As I move on and make room for those who will carry the game forward in West Indies colours, know that I will always be supporting in whatever way I can. It is with profound gratitude for living my dream that I now raise my bat in salute to all that is West Indies cricket.”
Meanwhile, Kieron Pollard will continue to play in franchise cricket across the globe. He is currently plying trade for Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL 2022. The five-time IPL champions have had the worst start, losing all the first six games to languish at the bottom of the points table.
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