Kieron Pollard likely to don England shirt at 2024 T20 World Cup in USA, West Indies: report

The hard-hitting all-rounder from West Indies retired from international cricket in 2022.

London: According to reports, former West Indies all-rounder Kieron Pollard is likely to be roped in as an advisor to the England cricket team for the 2024 T20 World Cup in the US and West Indies. Next year’s T20 World Cup will take place from June 4 to 30. The Jos Buttler-led side are the defending champions and had brought in former Australian batsman Mike Hussey when they won the title in Australia in 2022.

“Pollard, who is 36 and still an active player, has had an extraordinary T20 career, winning five Indian Premier League titles and the 2012 T20 World Cup,” said a report in The Telegraph. “He is the most experienced player in the history of T20, having played 637 matches in the format and is known as one of the brightest minds in the game.”

“Pollard also brings with him in-depth knowledge of conditions in the West Indies. The Trinidadian will help England assess the pitches in the T20 World Cup, which starts on June 4,” he added. The development came to light after Pollard was spotted at the England team hotel in Trinidad during the visitors’ last two matches against the West Indies. However, England lost the series 2–3 in the five-match series.

Pollard even shares a great camaraderie with Buttler, as both shared the same dressing room at Somerset in 2010-11. They were also together for Mumbai Indians in 2016-17 in the Indian Premier League. Pollard, who won five IPL titles with Mumbai Indians, is now the franchise’s batting coach. It is notable that Pollard still plays in a number of franchise leagues worldwide.

“Pollard’s involvement with England is initially expected to be for the T20 World Cup only. “But if the collaboration proves fruitful, he may be called upon to work with the team again in the future,” the report said.