PORT OF SPAIN, Trinidad, CMC – Keiron Pollard is hoping to use next year’s regional four-day championship to dispel any notion he is simply a one-day player.
The 22-year-old right-hander has gained a reputation as an explosive big hitter but said he would seek to prove his mettle for the game’s longer form when he returned from his stint in the Australian Twenty20 Big Bash early next year.
“I am looking forward to returning home to be with the guys for the regional four-day tournament. I have been batting consistently well in the four-day tournament as well, so I hope that I am not labelled as just one type of player,” said Pollard who has played 15 One-Day Internationals but is yet to get a Test for West Indies.
“I am prepared for the hard work and I am going to be doing my best to do well anytime I am given the chance.”
Despite his status as a big hitter, Pollard has largely under-achieved internationally. He averages an alarming 11.30 from 13 innings and has never scored a half-century.
He gave a timely reminder of his ability in the Twenty20 Champions League, however, when he smashed an 18-ball 54 for Trinidad & Tobago against New South Wales and then hammered 57 from 50 balls as T&T crushed Guyana WICB President’s Cup final on Thursday.
Pollard, who clinched three wickets in the final to claim the Man-of-the-Match award, admitted he was disappointed at being overlooked for the tour of Australia starting later this month but pledged to keep himself in the selection frame.
“I have been batting pretty well in all forms of the game and not being selected for the West Indies is a bit disappointing,” he said.
“I just have to continue working hard and doing what I do best and leave the rest up to the selectors.”
Pollard will travel to Australia next month where he will represent South Australia in the domestic Twenty20 tournament there.
He will join forces with the likes of Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi at the club and said he was looking forward to the experience.
“That is a big move for my career. Going to Australia I see as a stepping stone in my career and I am going to grab this opportunity with both hands,” he said.