ICC T20 World Cup: We have not done justice to our talents, says Pollard

By Brandon Corlette

The West Indies having played three games in the ICC T20 World Cup, have thus far recorded a solitary win after suffering two heavy defeats. Captain Kieron Pollard and his team will be playing Sri Lanka today (Thursday November 4) from 10:00h Eastern Caribbean time, and again the batting will be in focus, since that aspect of the West Indies’ game has been a letdown.
In three innings, Evin Lewis has scored 68 runs and Nicholas Pooran 53 runs; they lead the West Indies’ poor batting effort. Akeal Hosein continues to be the stand-out bowler with four wickets in three outings at a top economy rate of 6.25.
After such poor collective performances, Pollard does not seem to be arrogant, and has accepted that the team performed poorly. Speaking on the eve of the match in a virtual press conference, Pollard said that, from a batting perspective, team members have not done justice to their talents.
Pollard, who left the field during the batting innings, and did not play a part while Bangladesh were batting, also said he is feeling “okay”.
“I am feeling pretty okay. I did some training over the last couple days or so, and I pulled up pretty well. It’s just a matter of putting the final touches and see what happens tomorrow,” Pollard indicated.
While sharing his message to the fans, Pollard said: “Most of the fans are disappointed with the position we are in as a team, and it is something we accept. We have couple games to try and finish the tournament on a high; finish the preliminary stages and see mathematically where we sit. But the main focus is winning the two games, and everything can take care of itself afterwards.”
Despite the poor defence to the T20 World Cup, Pollard’s men are confident and hungry to show their pride with a win. “Nothing is impossible. What I can safely say is, ‘Yes the guys are confident’. We know what is needed, especially from a run-rate perspective, and we will take all things into consideration when that match starts. It is important we continue to try and improve, especially from a batting perspective.
“Mood is good from players. The mindset is good, the mood has not dropped. As individuals, we are disappointed how things transpired. The pride that these guys have, they would want to give good account of themselves.”
West Indies will be up against the new number one T20I bowler Wanindu Hasaranga. Pollard described the leg-spinner as a trump card, but has said that, as a unit, the West Indies have spoken about, and planned for, the entire Sri Lanka team. “We are coming up against a Sri Lanka team and we are looking forward to playing a good solid game of cricket,” Pollard said.
Sri Lanka are out of the T20 World Cup, and West Indies’ chances are hanging by the thinnest of threads. With surrounding noise, the ‘big boys’ will have an opportunity to prove themselves, and, in the process, give the West Indies something to smile about.